Judge orders singer, Guy Ritchie to put son 1st in custody battle

A Judge has issued a sound warning to Madonna and ex, Guy Ritchie to settle their custody dispute over 15-year-old son Rocco or risk missing the last years of his childhood locked in a divisive legal battle.

In his ruling on Monday, March 21, U.K. High Court Judge Alistair MacDonald wrote, "As I observed during the course of the hearing, summer does not last forever. The boy very quickly becomes the man. It would be a very great tragedy for Rocco if any more of the precious and fast receding days of his childhood were to be taken up by this dispute."

"Far better for each of his parents to spend that time enjoying, in turn, the company of the mature, articulate and reflective young man who is their son and who is a very great credit to them both," the British continued.

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The London judge ruled that Madonna can drop her legal proceedings in England so that the legal battle can continue in the U.S. judicial system. He however, did not rule on whether should be returned to New York to be with Madonna – but did return the teen's passport so he could visit his mother over the Easter holiday, if he so wished.

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MacDonald's ruling pointed out that the issue at hand was a break-down in trust between Madonna and Ritchie, despite the A-list exes celebrity status involved and the international headlines.

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