Lawyer: Madonna Will Be Able To Adopt Mercy After All!

In a stunning development, Madonna will be able to adopt Malawian toddler Mercy James after all, according to the superstar's lawyer.

Madonna's attorney Alan Chinula claims that three Malawian appeal court judges will reverse the original verdict – with the final decision to be announced next Sunday at Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal.

Chinula claims that he has persuaded two of the three appeal judges to alter their decisions and that the third will comply too.

Madonna’s original application was denied on the grounds that she had not lived in the African state for 18 months – which her lawyer argued was an out-dated rule.

The 50-year-old’s attempt to adopt four-year-old Chifundo – whose name translates to ‘Mercy’ – had been dogged by problems and controversy.

Judge Esme Chombo originally stated: “The issue of residence, I find, is the key upon which the question of adoption rests and it is very bedrock of protection that our children need, it must therefore not be tampered with. "

But Information Minister Patricia Kaliati backed the singer, claiming she had donated thousands of dollars into building a day care centre and had helped her nation’s impoverished country.

Madonna – who divorced her British director boyfriend Guy Ritchie last year – is still dating Brazilian model Jesus Luz, 22.

She has reportedly told friends and family that she had never given-up hope of taking Mercy Stateside to be united with David Banda the little boy she adopted from Malawi when she was married to Ritchie.