Britney Spears' conservatorship case to stay in state court

A civil rights challenge to Britney Spears' conservatorship has been thrown out of court.

An L.A. judge tossed out a lawyer's claim that Britney Spears should be put back in control of her life.

In legal documents lawyer Jon Eardley had claimed the 26-year-old pop star 'was being confined by the conservator [her father] to the private prison of her own home in violation of her civil rights.'

Eardley, who had claimed to be representing the pop star, had filed paperwork alleging the current ruling that her affairs be controlled by her dad was a violation of Britney's civil rights, and should be moved to the federal level for review But documents released last night show federal judge Philip Gutierrez rejected his argument saying there was no evidence Britney ever hired the legal brief.

In the legal documents the judge said: "Here, Mr Eardley had no authority to remove the case from state court.

"While he claims to be Ms Spears' attorney, the Probate court appointed Mr Ingham as her attorney and found she was incapable of retaining her own counsel."

The judge added: "Mr. Eardley is not Ms. Spears' attorney and acted improperly by removing her conservatorship proceeding to federal court."

Britney's dad Jamie Spears has been in control of the singer's finances and affairs since she was committed to a psychiatric ward last month.