nicolecourt12.jpg Nicole Richie and her attorney were escorted into the LA Superior Courthouse this morning for a closed-door hearing to discuss a restraining order against photographer Fabricio Mariotto.

Richie claims Mariotto got too close to her 2-year-old daughter Harlow while trying to photograph her little girl at her preschool.

Richie is seeking a permanent restraining order against the photographer - who, despite Ms. Richie's restraining order request stating otherwise, does NOT work for X17 and did not work for us at the time of the incident early last month. Richie's attorney refused to issue a statement that her client's publicly-filed document was in error.

Judge Rico continued the case to December 21, and until then, we're told the order still remain in full force and effect.

The actress will reportedly marry longtime boyfriend Joel Madden, the father of her two children, this weekend.