U.K. judge sends Madonna and Guy Ritchie custody dispute to New York

Finally some good news for Madonna -- sort of.

A London judge has ruled in the "Material Girl" singer's favor for at least one aspect of her nasty custody battle with ex-husband Guy Ritchie over their teenage son, Rocco.

The dispute -- over whether Rocco must return to his mother or stay in London with his father -- has been brought before courts in both London and New York, and Madonna recently moved to have the U.K. proceedings halted. Judge Alistair McDonald granted the motion Monday, according to the BBC.

• Madonna exposed 17-year-old's breasts during Brisbane concert

"At the root of these proceedings ... is a temporary breakdown in trust," McDonald said as he announced the ruling to lawyers for all three parties. (Madonna, Ritchie and their son were not present.)

• Madonna starts Melbourne concert more than four hours late

"For all the media coverage, comment and analysis, this is a case born out of circumstances that arise for countless separated parents the world over," he said. "I renew, one final time, my plea for the parents to seek, and to find, an amicable resolution to the dispute between them."

In:
• Madonna