BLANTYRE, Malawi — Madonna's hopes of adopting a second child from Malawi will be decided next month.
The 50-year-old pop star's appeal case will begin on May 4, court officials confirmed Monday to The Associated Press.
Madonna is hoping to overturn a Malawi Court ruling earlier this month in which her bid to adopt a 3-year-old girl named Chifundo "Mercy" James was denied over residency issues.
Madonna previously drew criticism when she adopted her 3-year-old son, David Banda, from the country in 2006. Malawian law requires would-be parents to reside in the country for one year before adopting, a rule that was essentially broken when she adopted her son.
A three-judge Supreme Court of Appeal panel will oversee the process in May, which could last up to two weeks.
"As with all court cases involving infants, this one will be in chambers, not in an open court," Joseph Chigona, registrar of the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal, told AP.
Alan Chinula, Madonna's Malawian lawyer, told AP that he was hopeful the appeal bid will be successful.
"We believe the lower court judge erred by basing her judgment on an archaic law of over 50 years ago," he said.
Madonna also expressed hope recently in an interview that appeared in Malawi's Nation newspaper.
"I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible," she emailed the paper in response to several questions posed. "And it's my hope that she like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country."
Madonna also has two biological children, Lourdes 12, and Rocco, 8.
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