Madonna asks for delay in David Banda adoption case

Madonna has asked a Malawian court to delay a hearing to finalize her adoption of 2-year-old tot David Banda -- whom she adopted from the South African nation 18 months ago -- a lawyer close to the case has said.

The pop superstar's Malawian law firm reportedly filed an application requesting the High Court in Lilongwe hear her adoption of Banda on May 15 instead of April 22, as originally scheduled, the lawyer told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The reason for the delay, says the lawyer, is Madonna's need to travel to the United States for business reasons.

Court officials refused to confirm the application.

"Adoption is a confidential matter and we separate adoption files from the regular case files," Thomson Ligowe, assistant registrar in the High Court, said.

The Malawian government recommended earlier this month that the court approve the adoption of Banda.

The 'Material Girl' star -- who celebrates her 50th birthday later this year -- filed adoption papers for Banda in 2006. He has been living with Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie in London since. The adoption raised public controversy about whether special treatment was given to the singer considering the fact that Malawian law requires one year of residence for potential adoptive parents