BARBRA STREISAND - SPEARS ATTORNEY STEPS DOWN

BARBRA STREISAND's cousin has been forced to step down as troubled BRITNEY SPEARS' attorney. Adam Streisand claimed he had been hired by Spears before she lost control of her legal and financial affairs to her father Jamie in court on Friday (01Feb08). When he attempted to represent the absent singer in court on Monday (04Feb08), a judge refused to recognise him as Spears' counsel. After taking control of his daughter's affairs, and being named conservator over the pop star, Jamie Spears was granted the right to choose his daughter's legal representative. Streisand, who fought the conservatorship in court on Monday, stood down on Thursday (07Feb08). A statement reads: "At the request of Britney Spears, Adam Streisand... met with her yesterday to discuss her legal rights in connection with the conservatorship over her person and estate. "Following that meeting, Mr. Streisand learned that the court had issued orders that prevent Ms. Spears from retaining counsel of her own choosing, and, on that basis, Mr. Streisand has decided he will not represent her at this time." Spears, who left a UCLA Medical Center psychiatric ward on Wednesday (05Feb08), is still represented by court-appointed lawyer Samuel Ingham.