Overview
- A California Court of Appeal on June 24 reversed a lower-court order that had let Yuri Shefler exit the case, finding evidence he played an active role in the 2021 Miraval sale and that the purchase agreement is governed by California law.
- A Los Angeles Superior Court granted Brad Pitt’s June 17 motion to compel depositions from Stoli Group affiliates, ordering testimony from Alexey Oliynik and designated representatives of Tenute del Mondo and Nouvel to take place in London by Sept. 30.
- A hearing on July 8 will decide whether Shefler himself must sit for a deposition after the appeals court signaled he had direct financial and contractual involvement in the transaction.
- Judge Cindy Pánuco denied Pitt’s request for sanctions in the discovery fight and refused, without prejudice, to force Jolie to produce certain private emails on attorney‑client privilege grounds.
- The procedural wins sharpen the factual record ahead of an August 2027 trial and raise stakes for both parties because depositions and Shefler’s potential testimony could clarify who orchestrated the sale and whether Jolie breached an alleged agreement requiring mutual consent.