The name of Northern Ireland's second city is to remain Londonderry, a judge ruled yesterday.
The city council, which changed its title from Londonderry to Derry, applied in the high court for a judicial review aimed at a similar change to the name of the city.
However, Mr Justice Weatherup rejected the claim that the change in the council's name had the effect of changing the name of the city as specified in a charter granted by King Charles the Second in 1662.
The 1662 charter states: "We will, ordain, constitute, confirm, and declare that the said city or town of Derry, for ever hereafter be, and shall be named and called the City of Londonderry." The judge said that to achieve the desired change it would be necessary to alter the 1662 charter by further exercise of the royal prerogative - petitioning the queen - or by a change in the law.
He said it was for the council to drive that process forward, not the government or the Department of the Environment.
Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Campbell, who attended the court hearing, said afterwards: "The ruling clarifies the law but it does not alter the fact that the city council in its wisdom decided it wanted the city's name changed and that is still the case.
"Sinn Féin is now calling on the Department of the Environment to continue with the process requested by the council to make the desired change by whatever means, either by altering the 1662 charter or by legislation." Sinn Féin and SDLP councillors pushed for the change but it was opposed by unionist members who claimed that dropping the "London" prefix would lead to further alienation of the Protestant community in the city.
Despite the judgment, many people in the Maiden City believe it is unlikely that attitudes to the name will change.
"The unionist community will continue to refer to Londonderry and the nationalists to Derry and I don't think that will ever change," said one cynic.