London, May 5 Madonna's lawyers are confident that the singer would succeed in her appeal against a ruling that crushed her dreams of adopting Malawian tot Mercy James.

Yesterday, the African country's highest court heard arguments from the singer's legal team over her bid to adopt the four-year-old from an orphanage in the village of Bvumbwe, The Telegraph reported.

Following yesterday's hearing, the 50-year-old's Malawian lawyer, Alan Chinula, said he was "hopeful" the appeal would succeed.

The hearing took place as James Kambewa, 24, who claims to be the girl's father, said he would fight to raise her himself.

Last month, a lower court had rejected Madonna's request on the grounds that foreigners seeking to adopt in Malawi must have been resident in the country for at least 18 months.

The residency restriction was waived when Madonna adopted four-year-old David Banda, also from Malawi, in 2006. (ANI)