Madonna has reportedly persuaded three Malawian Supreme Court of Appeal judges to approve her bid to adopt four-year-old orphan Mercy James.

The 50-year-old singer - whose bid to give a home to four-year-old Mercy James was rejected in March - has reportedly persuaded three Supreme Court of Appeal judges to approve the adoption.
Two judges have already submitted reports recommending Madonna be granted custody of Mercy, and the third is said to be "in complete unison with them".

The ruling is set to be announced in court in the African nation's capital Lilongwe on Sunday (14.06.09). A Court of Appeal source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "The paperwork is being typed up now. All recommendations are in favour of the adoption taking place. Mercy should start packing her bags. She's off to America."

Madonna - who was photographed sobbing in public days after her initial adoption bid was denied - is thrilled with the decision.

A friend of the pop star said: "She's ecstatic. She made a promise that she wouldn't give up on Mercy and, believe me, she could move mountains when she's this determined. No stone has been left unturned to prove that ruling was wrong."

The star's adoption application was initially rejected because she had not lived in Malawi for a minimum of 18 months, as the country's adoption laws require. The rule was swept aside when Madonna adopted David Banda, three, from the country in 2008 and she had been expecting a similar ruling regarding Mercy.

The 'Miles Away' singer also has an eight-year-old son, Rocco, with ex-husband Guy Ritchie and daughter Lourdes, 12, from a previous relationship. At the weekend, it was reported Madonna - who is dating 22-year-old model Jesus Luz - was considering adopting a child from Lesotho if her appeal was unsuccessful.

Source: Contact Music