Britney called in sick for a court-ordered deposition on December 12, but was photographed that day driving with a friend. She also did not show up for a session on Wednesday.

Britney’s lawyers from the firm Trope and Trope filed a court motion on Wednesday asking to be relieved due to a "breakdown" in communication with their client.

Police called to Britney’s house - Jan 4 2008
Police have been called to the home of American pop singer Britney Spears in a custodial dispute involving her children, a police spokesman said.

Police in Los Angeles were called at 8pm on Thursday and were still at the house at 10pm, said Officer Jason Lee. The call involved a "family custodial dispute that we are trying to resolve ... peacefully by court order", said Mr Lee.

Spears and ex-husband Kevin Federline are fighting over custody of their young sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James.

Federline has temporary custody of the children because Spears, who has limited visiting rights, has defied court orders. The two were married in October 2004 and divorced in July.

A photographer outside the gates of the residence saw six police cars, an ambulance and a fire engine enter around 10.30pm. None of the vehicles was flashing sirens.

Earlier on Thursday, the 26-year-old singer appeared for a deposition in the custody dispute. She was interviewed under oath for just 14 minutes, attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan told reporters after she left.

Spears called in sick for a December 12 court-ordered deposition, but was photographed that day driving with a friend. She also failed to show up for a session on Wednesday, Mr Kaplan said.

Spears’ attorneys from the firm Trope and Trope on Wednesday filed a court motion asking to be relieved due to a "breakdown" in communication with their client. Mr Kaplan said Spears’ attorneys were present for what became a very abbreviated session.

"The deposition proceeding did go forward today. It was scheduled for 9.45 to 11.45," Mr Kaplan said. "However, it wasn’t able to commence until 11.32."

He said another deposition will be scheduled for Spears to give more evidence.

Britney lawyers want to quit - Jan 3 2008
Britney Spears’ lawyers in her custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline are quitting.

The law firm Trope and Trope have asked a Los Angeles court to be relieved as the troubled pop princess’s attorneys.

The firm said there has been a "breakdown" in communication with the singer that makes representing her "impossible", according to the filing, obtained by CelebTV.com.

A message left with a publicist for Britney’s record label was not immediately returned.

The Toxic singer and K-Fed have been wrangling for months over custody of their sons, two-year-old Sean Preston and one-year-old Jayden James.

Kevin has temporary custody because Britney, who has limited visiting rights, has defied court orders.

The two were married in October 2004 and finalised their divorce in July.

On a separate legal front, an attorney for Britney wants the city attorney’s office to prove that the pop star is a permanent California resident and is subject to state laws that require her to have a valid California driver’s licence.

The star faces up to a year of probation if convicted in a misdemeanour case of driving without a valid licence, a charge to which she has pleaded not guilty.

Attorney Michael Flanagan said she had a valid Louisiana licence at the time of the incident and got a California licence six days after the complaint was filed.