Sean Penn and his estranged wife Leila George retain the services of a private judge

Sean Penn and his estranged wife, Leila George, have retained a private judge in their ongoing divorce.

The former couple has requested to appoint Hon. Scott Gordon as their privately compensated temporary judge in the future, according to People.

The 61-year-old actor has agreed to pay the judge for his time and services, which also includes his $950 hourly rate and additional fees.

The pair have booked out Gordon’s services in an effort to expedite their divorce through California’s backlogged courts, as he will act as an extension of the state’s court.

Penn and George, 29, were initially romantically linked in 2016 after they were seen sharing a kiss during a Hawaiian getaway.

Prior to becoming involved with the daughter of fellow actor Vincent D’Onofrio, the Fast Times at Ridgemont High cast member was married to singer Madonna from 1985 until 1989.

He went on to begin a relationship with actress Robin Wright, with whom he welcomed a daughter named Dylan and a son named Hopper in the early 1990s.

Smart move: The pair have booked out Gordon’s services in an effort to expedite their divorce through California’s backlogged courts, as he will act as an extension of the state’s court; they are pictured in 2020

The two separated for a brief time, although they eventually reconciled and married in 1996.

Penn and Wright eventually separated several times in the mid-2000s and eventually finalized their divorce in 2010.

He then began dating fellow actress Charlize Theron, with whom he was first spotted in 2013.

The former couple remained together for two years before they ultimately went their separate ways in 2015.

Tying the knot: Following his split from the Mad Max: Fury Road actress, the performer began seeing George, whom he eventually married in July of 2020; they are seen in 2019

Following his split from the Mad Max: Fury Road actress, the performer began seeing George, whom he eventually married in July of 2020.

The pair had engaged in an on-again-off-again relationship prior to deciding to make their union official. 

The two notably held their ceremony over Zoom, with only his children and her brother physically in attendance. 

It was later revealed by TMZ that the actor’s wife had filed for divorce this past October.

The couple appeared to remain on good terms after the filing, as they were spotted spending time together in George’s native Australia during this most recent New Year’s Eve.

Separate ways: It was later revealed by TMZ that the actor’s wife had filed for divorce this past October; they are seen in 2021