Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have reportedly hired a private divorce judge to preside over the termination of their marriage, because they want to keep the causes of their split a closely guarded secret.

The nature of the former couple's approach to their divorce, alongside a revealing interview Aniston has given to Vanity Fair magazine, have further fuelled media speculation that Pitt's growing affection for Angelina Jolie caused the collapse of their marriage.

However, Aniston did not mention a third party or infidelity on Pitt's part when she filed for divorce early this year. They will negotiate their split in front of temporary judge Jill Robbins in their lawyers' offices thanks to concessions which only exist in California - and will be spared having the details of their split printed in public court papers.

Celebrity divorce lawyer Raoul Felder says, "This is a rent-a-judge situation. It's something that can only be done in the state of California."