If Britney Spears Is Not Competent Enough To Give Deposition, How is She Competent To Judge “The X Factor”?

Britney Spears is generating a lot of news lately from lawsuits to possibly judging on The X Factor and putting one of her mansions up for sale. Her father was appointed as her conservator because she was declared mentally incompetent. Her father may be making many decisions for Britney, but he is also likely using the conservatorship to protect Britney from lawsuits. There are several going on right now including the following.

A company called Brand Sense is suing Britney for breach of contract after Britney cut them out of profits from her Elizabeth Arden perfume deal. Britney’s father settled the case and will be giving Brand Sense a portion of the profits. He was also able to use the conservatorship to shield Britney from questioning under oath.

Britney’s legal crew also recently settled a sexual harassment lawsuit that her former bodyguard brought against her. One other lawsuit is going to trial in September of this year. Britney’s former manager, Sam Lufti is bringing breach of contract, libel, and defamation suits against her. Lufti may not get a deposition of Britney either because of the conservatorship.

If Britney is not competent enough to answer questions in a deposition, it raises the question how she would be competent enough to even be considered to be a judge on The X Factor. As a judge, she would have to make talent judgments and engage in witty, off-the-cuff commentary, which does not seem consistent with her “incompetent” status that made her eligible for a conservator. If she were allowed to serve as a judge, but use the conservatorship as a shield in legal battles, it would mock the conservatorship system that is designed to protect vulnerable adults.

See Danielle and Andy Mayoras, Oops! Britney Spears’ Conservator Did It Again, Financial Planning Magazine, Mar. 12, 2012.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.