Lawyer: Pitt and Jolie sue over split claim

2/08/2010 11:02:00 AM

LONDON – A London law firm says Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are suing a British tabloid that reported they were to split.

Keith Schillings, of Schillings Lawyers, said in a statement Monday that the celebrity couple had begun legal proceedings against the News of The World newspaper.

The newspaper reported Jan. 24 that Pitt and Jolie had agreed to divide their assets and made arrangements over the custody of their children.

Schillings, whose firm is representing the unmarried couple, says the report involved "false and intrusive allegations." He says the tabloid failed to meet a demand for a retraction and apology.

He also says Sorrell Trope, a divorce lawyer in Los Angeles, denied claims she had been in contact with the couple.