Madonna and Guy Ritchie waiting for ruling over future of son Rocco

Madonna is waiting for a High Court judge's ruling on the latest stage of a dispute with ex-husband Guy Ritchie over the future of their 15-year-old son Rocco.

Mr Justice MacDonald is due to deliver a ruling after analysing evidence at a private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London earlier this month.

The singer and the film-maker are embroiled in separate litigation in England and New York.

Judges have heard that Rocco had remained in London with his father after a visit. Madonna wants the teenager to return to live with her in the US.

Lawyers representing Madonna said the singer wanted to halt the legal action she launched in England.

Mr Justice MacDonald was asked to decide whether he should allow English proceedings to draw to a close, or whether he should make decisions about Rocco's welfare.

Rocco and Mr Ritchie were at the hearing in London, but not Madonna. The singer's lawyers told the judge she wanted to attend but was on tour in Australia.

Mr Justice MacDonald urged Madonna and Mr Ritchie to try to settle the dispute, and lawyers told him the pair had outlined proposals for negotiation.