Judge Denies Motion to Move Britney's Case to Federal Court

U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez ruled the claims "may not arise under federal law" and indicated that not all necessary supporting documents were submitted, according to court papers. Gutierrez did give attorney Jon Eardley, who sought to move the case in Spears' name, until Feb. 29 to demonstrate why it should not remain in state court.

Spears, 26, has been hospitalized twice since early January for psychiatric evaluation and earlier this month, a Los Angeles court gave temporary control -- also known as conservatorship -- over her business and personal affairs to her father, Jamie Spears, along with attorney Andrew Wallet. If the case were moved, Jamie Spears could lose temporary conservatorship, which now extends until March 10.

Last week, Eardley filed papers seeking to move the case to federal court on the singer's behalf, but it remains unclear exactly who hired Eardley. The lawyer's spokesman, Michael Sands, also represents Sam Lutfi who was Spears' manager until the conservatorship was granted, and Sands has said he was "not at liberty to discuss" who hired Eardley. A temporary restraining order has been issued against Lutfi to keep him away from the singer. In separate court documents, lawyers for Jamie Spears called Eardley's filings "a brazen -- but vain -- attempt to strip a probate court" from extending the conservatorship.