Schillings describes itself as ‘the leading law firm protecting the reputations of high-profile individuals, corporates and brands’. The firm has acted for many celebs but they don’t come much bigger than the Pitt-Jolie unit.

The News of the World, not averse to a bit of controversey every now and then, ran a front page story last month declaring the couple were splitting up and dividing their £205m fortune. It is understood that Brangelia made it clear that the story was false but NOTW didn’t back down so now the couple are apparently suing for libel and for “misuse of private information”.

Guardian: Keith Schilling of Schillings, their London lawyers, said yesterday the allegations had been reproduced in other newspapers. “The News of the World has failed to meet our clients’ reasonable demands for a retraction of and apology for these false and intrusive allegations, which have now been widely republished by mainstream news outlets. We have advised them to bring proceedings, which they have now done.”

Avid followers of celeb cases will no doubt recall the testing of ‘privacy’ in the Max Mosley case. Although the facts are obviously very different here, no mention of shaved bottoms and the like, a claim involving “misuse of private information” is likely to see the same area of law revisited. At the time Mr Justice Eady said about Mosley: “The claimant had a reasonable expectation of privacy in relation to sexual activities (albeit unconventional) carried on between consenting adults on private property.”

A celebrity circus in the high court; more intrigue than a Hollywood blockbuster. And no need for an 80pence pair of 3D goggles.