Basinger denies contempt charges

Ms Basinger faces trial on 12 contempt charges and could be jailed for 60 days and fined $12,000 (£6,400).

Mr Baldwin alleges she did not tell him when she was away working so he could care for daughter Ireland, and that an injury to the girl was not disclosed.

The couple split in 2000 after seven years' marriage, and divorced in 2002.

In 2004, they agreed to split the parenting of 10-year-old Ireland, but earlier this year Mr Baldwin accused his ex-wife of trying to prevent him from seeing their daughter.

Ms Basinger, 52, did not attend Wednesday's hearing and also waived her right to attend next year's non-jury trial. Mr Baldwin is expected to be among the witnesses.

The two actors have been embroiled in a long-running legal tussle over their daughter, with each side making counter-claims of attempts to turn the child against them.

Ms Basinger won a best supporting actress Oscar in 1998 for LA Confidential, and has also appeared in Nine 1/2 Weeks and 8 Mile.

The Cooler earned Mr Baldwin an Oscar nomination in 2004, while other major roles have been in The Aviator and Glengarry Glen Ross.