The Brothers & Sisters star sued Jessica Gibson in April (08), claiming she tried to extort money out of him by accusing him and his wife "of a vicious laundry list of false terribles".

Gibson countersued, accusing the actor of groping her and exposing himself.

Gibson had an early victory when pitted against Lowe's legal in court - California Superior Court Judge Denise de Bellefeuille threw out four of Lowe's claims against Gibson in July (08), including his allegations that she defamed him. One of the nanny's accusations in her countersuit was also dismissed. The nature of the claim is unknown.

Gibson's lawyer Gloria Allred went on to reportedly file an appeal against this ruling - insisting the higher court reinstate Gibson's allegation.

And the trial has now been put on hold pending the decision, as well as her appeal for the judge to dismiss Lowe's standing claims against her.

Allred tells People.com, "Everything in the case comes to a halt for now. Although we were successful in getting parts of his lawsuit thrown out in an earlier decision, we feel most of it is still without merit."

Lowe is also being sued by a second nanny, Laura Boyce, but he has denied any improper behaviour.