A U.S. judge has approved Blake Lively’s request for a protective order during her ongoing legal case against actor-director Justin Baldoni. According to E! News, Judge Lewis J. Liman granted Lively’s request on July 14. The order requires Baldoni’s team to disclose in advance the names of all individuals who will be present at Lively’s deposition, which is scheduled for July 17.

Lively will also arrange for Baldoni’s legal team to use a dedicated computer, along with printing and copying facilities, at a location she chooses.

Access to Taylor Swift Messages Allowed

Earlier, Baldoni secured court approval to access private messages between Lively and singer Taylor Swift. These messages relate to the film It Ends With Us and could provide important information for the case. Lively had opposed this move, saying Baldoni was dragging Swift into the dispute to attract public attention. However, Judge Liman ruled that these messages might help clarify issues related to harassment and retaliation claims.

In his ruling, the judge stated that while media attention often surrounds celebrity cases, evidence like the Lively-Swift messages could still be relevant. He also reminded both sides that a protective order prevents them from sharing these messages with the media.

Though Baldoni’s team initially subpoenaed Swift, her legal team explained that she had no role in the film apart from licensing a song. After this clarification, Baldoni’s lawyers withdrew the subpoenas.

Lively Accuses Baldoni of Publicity Stunt

Lively’s lawyers recently argued that Baldoni’s team had refused to cooperate reasonably during deposition planning. Her legal team accused Baldoni’s side of trying to create a “harassing publicity stunt” by allowing unknown attendees, including media or social media influencers, to attend her deposition.

Court documents highlighted Lively’s concerns: “Defendants have not denied that their intent is to manufacture a harassing publicity stunt by requiring Ms. Lively to parade through paparazzi."

Lively’s legal team also accused Baldoni’s representatives of insisting on controlling all security and logistical arrangements without addressing her concerns.

Baldoni’s Team Denies Accusations

In response, Baldoni’s lawyers rejected Lively’s claims in a July 13 letter to the judge. They argued that she offered no evidence to support allegations of a “plot” to turn the deposition into a media event.

Baldoni’s team wrote, “Lively does not present a single fact to support her allegations of a ‘plot’ to use the deposition as a ‘publicity stunt’."

Lively’s Lawsuit Against Baldoni

The legal dispute began in December when Lively sued Baldoni. She accused him and his publicists of spreading false stories about her after she spoke up about alleged sexual harassment during the production of It Ends With Us. Baldoni responded by countersuing, alleging that Lively damaged his reputation. However, that countersuit was dismissed last week.