Request for Amber Heard's deposition denied by judge

A judge has denied a request by Johnny Depp's lawyer to depose Amber Heard and her neighbor in the couple's ongoing bitter divorce battle.

The actress filed to end the couple's 15-month marriage on 23 May (16), and then obtained a domestic violence restraining order against Johnny, accusing him of abuse on a number of occasions.

Depp's divorce attorney, Laura Wasser, headed to a Los Angeles court on Friday (10Jun16) to ask a judge to force Heard to sit for a deposition before their next court date on 17 June (16), which will determine whether to extend the temporary restraining order against the actor.

Wasser claims the actress and her friend Raquel Pennington, a witness to the alleged abuse, have been dodging her efforts to quiz them under oath about accusations made against Oscar nominee Depp prior to next week's hearing.

She also asked Heard to provide all of her "communications", including texts, from 15 December (15) to the present day.

Heard's attorney Samantha Spector stated that The Danish Girl star was not given sufficient time to collate all what Wasser had requested, adding: "This is unduly burdensome."

The actress was unavailable to be deposed on Friday because she was "en route" to Pennington's engagement party in New Jersey, and will then head to London, England, for a three-day costume fitting for the forthcoming Justice League movies, Spector told the judge.

The judge then denied Wasser's deposition request, according to court documents obtained by People.com late on Friday. "Respondent's request to take deposition of (Heard) is denied, as the request was untimely noticed," the judge reportedly stated. A notice period of 10 days is required for any deposition.

Heard stated in court documents, "I remain willing to attend my deposition on a mutually convenient date in the future and cooperate with any required requests in that regard."

People.com also report the judge denied Wasser's request to have Pennington's testimony excluded at the 17 June hearing. Pennington, Heard's friend and neighbor who claims she was witness to the alleged abuse, is due to give her deposition on 16 June - one day before the restraining order hearing.

Both Heard and Depp's camps are still locked in a battle over a financial settlement, but are reportedly working towards a deal to avoid a lengthy trial. According to TMZ.com, Depp and Wasser have made a financial offer, but they have yet to receive a response from Heard's representatives.

The actress previously revealed she was seeking $50,000 a month in spousal support, a request the actor moved to have denied.

TMZ reports that in a letter sent by Heard's attorney to Jake Bloom, Depp's entertainment lawyer, on 24 May (16) - just three days after the alleged attack in which the actor reportedly assaulted Amber with an iPhone - she made a series of financial demands.

It apparently stated that "Amber wishes to work quickly towards a private and amicable resolution of all matters, but she will need Johnny's immediate cooperation to do so." Her lawyer then listed Heard's requests, which included temporary spousal support, use of their Range Rover, possession of their Los Angeles penthouse and $100,000 for legal fees.