guy ritchie and madonnaGuy Ritchie has reportedly stepped up his intentions to challenge Madonna for custody of their children by hiring a specialist divorce lawyer.

Guy and Madonna, who announced their plans to divorce last month, have two sons together - eight year old Rocco and three year old David - and Guy is also step-dad to Madonna’s 12 year old daughter Lourdes from a previous relationship. The family has been based in the UK since the couple’s marriage in December 2000 but Madonna is said to want to move all three children to New York now that she’s split from Guy.

According to new reports, the RocknRolla director has now hired Stephen Cobb QC, a barrister who specialises in fighting international divorce cases where one parent wants to take the children out of the country.

A source explained: “Stephen Cobb is now acting for Guy Ritchie.

“There are only a handful of barristers who specialise in leave-to-remove applications and he’s the best in that area.”

A source close to the family added: “He’s a good dad. It’s not Madonna’s money he wants but the children.”

Madonna has hired Fiona Shackleton as her lawyer for the proceedings. Shackleton previously represented Paul McCartney in his divorce from Heather Mills and Prince Charles & Prince Andrew in their equally high profile marriage splits.