( CM ) - A judge has dismissed a challenge to the conservatorship ruling that gives Britney Spears' father control of her assets.
Jon Eardley, a New York-based attorney who claims to represent the singer, had argued that she was not given the five-day notice period required by California state law before control of a person's estate is altered.
But a three-judge panel has rejected Eardley's appeal as "granting letters of temporary conservatorship is specifically excluded from those orders made appealable" under California law.
US district judge Philip Gutierrez wrote: "Mr Eardley fails to explain why he can bring this claim for her in the first instance. He cannot,"
"Mr Eardley had no authority to remove the case from state court. He is neither a party nor a defendant."
He added: "While he claims to be Ms Spears's attorney, the probate court... found that she was incapable of retaining her own counsel."
Though the lawyer claims to have been employed by the Toxic star in February, she was prevented from appointing her own legal counsel by the conservatorship ruling passed by Los Angeles superior court commissioner Reva Goetz on February 1st.
Britney's father James and an attorney, Andrew Wallet, have been made temporary co-conservators of the singer's estate, with Goetz earlier this month extending the ruling until July 31st.
Eardley's spokesman Michael Sands is also the representative of Sam Lufti, Britney's former manager and confidante, against whom a restraining order has been issued.