Madonna handed adoption appeal date

Madonna's appeal against her failed bid to adopt a second child from Malawi will apparently be heard on May 4.

A court official told The AP that the case surrounding three-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James will come before three Supreme Court Of Appeal judges.

The 50-year-old travelled to Malawi earlier this month in the hope of making the youngster part of her family. However, her application was denied by Malawi's High Court because of a requirement that prospective parents be resident in the southern African state for 18 to 24 months.

Her lawyer announced that the singer intended to fight the decision shortly afterwards. Alan Chinula said that he was hopeful of a successful appeal as the initial rejection was based "on an archaic law of over 50 years ago".