Britney Spears news - as it happened Lawyer praises pop stars courage as conservatorship finally ends

Watch live outside LA court as Britney Spears' conservatorship is decided

After more than 13 years, Britney Spears’ long-standing conservatorship has ended.

At at hearing in LA this afternoon (12 November) at Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Brenda Penny said the conservatorship that has overseen the singer’s personal life and finances should be terminated with immediate effect.

Back in June, Spears told the court in an emotive testimony that the conservatorship that took over her entire life had left her feeling both exploited and traumatised. Spears requested for an end to the conservatorship without undergoing any further a psychological evaluation.

Today, Judge Penny agreed saying there was “no need for a capacity declaration” of Spears, noting that it had been a voluntary conservatorship. She went on to say: “the conservatorship of the person and estate of Britney Jean Spears is no longer required.”

A conservator will continue to work to settle “ongoing financial concerns related to the case” (via The New York Times) for an interim period but the conservatorship is “effective today...thereby terminated,” according to Judge Penny.

There were cheers outside the court in Los Angeles as supporters became aware of the judge’s decision, which was made following a 30 minute hearing.

Spears will now have a say in controlling her own finances and has the freedom to make her own medical and personal decisions for the first time since 2008.

Show latest update 1636708829Good morning

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s rolling Britney Spears news.

The singer’s conservatorship could end today at a court hearing.

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 09:201636708986Full report: Pop star’s nightmare may end later today

Britney Spears independence day may finally have arrived.

At a hearing in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on Friday, a judge will decide whether to terminate the conservatorship that has exercised vast control over the pop superstar’s life and money for nearly 14 years.

Full report:

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 09:231636709110Singer #FreeBritney T-shirt ahead of conservatorship court hearing

“#FreeBritney” is the name of the fan movement which has called for the end of Spears’s legal guardianship, which she was placed under following her public breakdown in 2008. The hashtag was first used by a fansite in 2009.

More details on the singer’s wearing of a #FreeBritney T-shirt below from my colleague Isobel Lewis:

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 09:251636710809Recap: Full and updated conservatorship timeline

Later today, a judge may release Britney Spears from her conservatorship. The events leading up to her father taking control over her affairs started way back in January 2017.

My colleagues Isobel Lewis and Annabel Nugent have taken a look at what has happened since:

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 09:531636714020Britney Spears shares life advice ahead of hearing

Britney Spears has shared her top 10 “pointers for life” for fans ahead of her conservatorship hearing in Los Angeles today.

The pop star will find out on Friday 12 November if the conservatorship, which allowed her father and others involved to exercise control over her life and money for the past 14 years, will be terminated.

My colleague Kate Ng reports:

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 10:471636718542ICYMI: Britney Spears reveals who she’s chosen to design her wedding dress

Britney Spears has revealed the fashion designer that she has selected to create her wedding dress for her nuptials to Sam Asghari.

The pop superstar got engaged to her long-term boyfriend in September after nearly five years of dating.

My colleague Olivia Petter has more below:

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 12:021636719651Recap: The US politicians who supported Britney Spears

Perhaps surprisingly, there was an outpouring of concern for Britney’s plight from a number of politicians across the political aisle earlier this year, writes Michael Arceneaux.

Read Michael’s full article here:

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 12:201636722051ICYMI: Pop star not told about sister’s pregnancy because she is seen as too ‘untrustworthy'

Jamie Lynn Spears has revealed that Britney Spears discovered her sister’s pregnancy in the press as she was banned from telling her.

In an excerpt from her new memoir,Things I Should Have Said, seen by People, Jamie Lynn wrote that her father Jamie Spears did not respond well after learning in 2007 that she was pregnant at the age of 16.

More below:

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 13:001636729653Singer’s top 10 ‘pointers for life'

Britney Spears has shared her top 10 “pointers for life” for fans ahead of her conservatorship hearing in Los Angeles today.

The pop star will find out later if the conservatorship, which allowed her father and others involved to exercise control over her life and money for the past 14 years, will be terminated.

My colleague Kate Ng reports:

Matt Mathers12 November 2021 15:071636733037Britney Spears’ conservatorship could end today

The controversial conservatorship that has controlled Britney Spears’ life for the last thirteen years could come to an end later today.

Spears’ fate lies in the hands of probate Judge Brenda Penny in Los Angeles Superior Court. Judge Penny will decide later today if the conservatorship, which has been in place since 2008, will finally come to an end.

“The time has come for Ms. Spears’s freedom,” the singer’s lawyer, Mathew S. Rosengart, wrote in a court filing last month, saying Spears wants an end to the conservatorship with immediate effect.

In a complete turnaround of events, Spears’ father, James P Spears â€" who is also known as Jamie â€" said he now too wanted an end to his role in the conservatorship.

Last month, his lawyers stated: “it is said in no uncertain terms, Jamie believes that the Conservatorship should end, immediately.”

The case has been fast moving since June, when Britney alleged that the agreement was abusive in an emotive hearing. Spears was allowed, for the first time since 2008, to choose her own lawyer who has since moved quickly and aggressively to try to terminate the control Jamie has had over his daughter’s life and business affairs for years.

Soon after Britney’s new lawyer was appointed, Jamie was suspended as conservator of Spears’ estate on 29 September.

Jodi Montgomery, a court-appointed professional, now acts as conservator of Britney’s person, and her lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, said in court documents that Montgomery also consents to ending the conservatorship so long as it can be done safely and smoothly.

With no significant opposition from anyone involved ahead of today’s hearing, it is expected that the legal agreement will be dissolved, finally putting to an end the conservatorship that has controlled Britney’s life since 2008.

Elizabeth Aubrey12 November 2021 16:03

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