Malawi's top judge to preside over Madonna adoption appeal

Madonna's ongoing bid to adopt a Malawian girl will be heard by the country's chief justice when the case goes to court next week.

The pop superstar is appealing a High Court judge's April 3 ruling, which rejected her request for the interim adoption of three-year-old Mercy James.

The case will be heard by a panel in the capital city of Lilongwe on Monday - and Malawi's top judge, Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo, has taken it upon himself to preside over the "important" hearing, reported People.com.

High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal spokesman Joseph Chigona said: "Since this involves an infant it will be heard in chambers.

"This is an important case; that's why the chief justice himself has taken special interest."

Madonna, who is recovering after falling off a horse in New York earlier this month, is not required to attend the hearing.

The singer is already mother to adopted Malawian tot David, three, and Rocco, eight, from her marriage to Guy Ritchie, as well as 12-year-old Lourdes, from a previous relationship.