Mel Gibson is believed to be making his first courtroom appearance today (10.11.10).

The 'Braveheart' star will face his former lover OKSANA GRIGORIEVA in court as they embark on an increasingly bitter custody battle over their 12-month-old daughter Lucia.

Appearing at the Los Angeles Superior Court, the 54-year-old actor will be forced to answer the Russian singer's accusation he is not fit to look after his child on overnight visits after he allegedly attacked Oksana while Lucia was in her arms.

At present, the couple share custody of their daughter, with Mel seeing her every other day and providing a nanny to help care for the child during overnight visits.

While Oksana has claimed she was subjected to verbal and physical abuse at the hands of the Hollywood star, he has claimed she attempted to extort millions of dollars from him in return for potentially damaging recordings she made after their tumultuous relationship came to an end in April.

This is the first time the pair will meet in the courtroom, and Oksana has reportedly vowed to make her former partner "squirm".

A source recently revealed: "For the first time, she will see Mel face-to-face, and she knows this is an important event and feels that her presence could make Mel squirm."