Madonna is appealing against the ruling which denied her the right to adopt four-year-old Mercy James from Malawi.

The star flew into Luton airport on Sunday to meet with her legal team. “I just filed the notice of appeal this afternoon on instructions from my client,” Madonna’s lawyer Alan Chinula confirmed. "We are just waiting for the court registrar to give us a day when we will appear in court."

Malawian judge Esmie Chondo has explained why she vetoed the adoption, saying she feared relaxing the rules may encourage child trafficking. “By removing the very safeguard that is supposed to protect our children, the courts by their pronouncements could actually facilitate trafficking of children by some unscrupulous individuals who would take advantage of the weakness of the law of the land,” Judge Chondo said.

Meanwhile Madonna’s ex Guy Ritchie has released a statement praising the star’s parenting skills. "Madonna is a fantastic and loving mother who cares deeply about her own children and children who may need additional help and support,” the statement reads. “I fully supported Madonna in her decision to apply for this adoption, and I am saddened that her application has been rejected. She is motivated only by being a caring parent who seeks to share some of the advantages and opportunities that her life has given her. This time it did not work out, but there will be other opportunities and I wish her well in them. She is a great mum.”

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