Angelina Jolie has received encouraging news in her ongoing legal battle with former husband Brad Pitt over their co-owned French winery.

On Tuesday, May 5, a judge denied the 62-year-old actor’s request to access the 50-year-old actress’s private messages related to the case.

The decision came after Jolie’s lawyers argued that the messages are protected under attorney-client privilege, meaning they must remain confidential. The judge agreed, upholding an earlier appellate court decision that blocked the release of the messages.

​Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ciny Pánuco stated that Pitt "has not met his burden" to prove the messages should be disclosed.

​The judge added that "further discovery may yield additional facts" that "could potentially rebut" the Maleficent star’s claims, though Pitt "has not done so on the present record."

Jolie had also requested a $33,692.50 penalty against the her ex-husband. However, the judge rejected the request, ruling that Pitt's argument "was not without substantial justification."

Speaking to PEOPLE, the Wanted actress’s lawyer Paul Murphy praised the decision and described it as "an important victory for Ms. Jolie."

​He further claimed Pitt was "completely out of bounds when he sought access to obviously privileged documents," adding that it reflected "Mr. Pitt’s pattern of demanding control over anything Angelina, including control over her communications with her own attorneys."

Meanwhile, a source close to the Fight Club actor told the outlet, "The judge allowed Pitt’s team to revisit [the decision] as evidence develops. It’s notable how Jolie has withheld so many documents as privileged. It’s just some of the evidence in the case."

What started the dispute?

The decision is the latest twist in the former couple's ongoing battle over their shared Château Miraval estate. The feud dates back to 2022, when Jolie sold her shares in the winery without Pitt’s consent, despite his claims that they had a mutual agreement regarding the sale.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's relationship timeline

Jolie and Pitt tied the knot on August 23, 2014, in an intimate ceremony at their French estate following their 2012 engagement.

They ended their marriage two years later, with the actress filing for divorce on September 19, 2016, and share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.