Britney Spears' father will maintain indefinite financial control, a court ruled yesterday.

Britney Spears apparently approves - court-appointed attorney said the details had been explained to the 26-year-old and she agreed not to oppose it. Spears could petition later to have the conservatorship removed, but the court's order otherwise constitutes a lifetime arrangement, a court information officer said.

Attorneys for Jamie Spears declined to comment after the hearing.

Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz said she was granting the permanent conservatorship in part because Britney Spears has shown she is 'susceptible to undue influence.'
Based on the attorneys' recommendations and other evaluations of the singer, Goetz said making conservatorship permanent was 'necessary and appropriate.'

The move came after a lengthy closed-chambers meeting, and follows a recent medical evaluation of the singer. Jamie Spears has had control over his daughter's affairs since February after she had several high-profile incidents of erratic behavior and a pair of hospitalisations.

It came on the same day that a Florida court case flared up in Los Angeles.

Attorneys for one of Spears' former managers suing the singer in Orlando wanted to force her to undergo a deposition.

That move was blocked after Jamie Spears and his attorneys sought a protective order against his daughter answering questions. Goetz approved the protective order through at least February.