A High Court hearing to determine the future of the twin sisters 'bought' by Alan and Judith Kilshaw via a US internet adoption broker has been set for early next month.

Mr and Mrs Kilshaw, fighting for custody of American-born babies, were in court in Birmingham for a hearing yesterday which was later adjourned and scheduled to resume at the High Court in London on April 2.

A spokesman for the Lord Chancellor's department said that yesterday's private hearing covered points of law, case management direction.

The hearing next month is expected to last several days and will be before Mr Justice Kirkwood. Mr and Mrs Kilshaw, of Buckley, Wales, are expected to attend the hearing.

Reporting restrictions and the current care orders on the twins remain in place, said the spokesman.

Flintshire Social Services seized the nine-month-old twins, Belinda and Kimberley, in January this year. They are now in foster care.

The babies are the subject of a complex transatlantic custody battle which erupted after Mr and Mrs Kilshaw paid an American baby broker £8 200 to adopt the girls.

See also:

UK judge considers twins' future
Officials remove baby broker's children
Judge overturns Net twins adoption
Kilshaws make documentary
Twins: Birth dad's battle on hold
Twins' mum appoints UK lawyer
Kilshaws turn to the Web again
Kilshaws face abduction charges
Kilshaws fight it out on Oprah show
Twins: Birth father in legal bid
Twins: Allens bid to overturn adoption
Twins: US father 'wins custody'
Internet twins to stay in care
'We may never see twins again'
High Court to decide twins' fate
Net baby couple go into hiding