The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE Supreme Court dismissed the World Famous Valley Boys’ application for judicial review, ruling that the group had no realistic chance of success in its legal challenge against the Registrar General’s decision to remove it from the register of non-profit organisations.

Justice Darron Ellis found that the Registrar General acted lawfully in determining that the name “World Famous Valley Boys” closely resembled that of the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group, creating the potential for public confusion or deception. The court lifted an injunction issued in September 2024, which had temporarily prevented the Registrar General from carrying out the removal.

 The dispute arose from a split within the Valley Boys Junkanoo organisation, which led to two factions — the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group and the World Famous Valley Boys — both claiming to represent the original group. In April 2024, the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group formally objected to the registration of the World Famous Valley Boys as a non-profit organisation, arguing that it was an attempt to mislead the public. The Registrar General investigated and invited the World Famous Valley Boys to change its name to avoid confusion, but the group refused, leading to its removal from the register.

 Justice Ellis ruled that the World Famous Valley Boys had an alternative legal remedy available — an appeal under the Non-Profit Organisations Act — which it failed to pursue before seeking judicial review. He emphasised that judicial review is a remedy of last resort, intended only for cases where no other legal avenues exist. Since the group had the option to challenge its removal through an appeal process, the court found that its decision to bypass that step rendered the judicial review application improper.

 The court also rejected claims that the Registrar General violated the principles of natural justice by failing to consult with the World Famous Valley Boys before making her decision. Justice Ellis noted that the Registrar General had given the group multiple opportunities to present its case and that both parties had been consulted in June 2024 before a final decision was issued in August 2024. The judge found that the Registrar General acted within her statutory powers in determining that the registration of two similar names under the same category could lead to confusion among the public.

 Following the ruling, interim chairman of the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group, Trevor Davis, described the outcome as a victory for his group, stating that “justice has prevailed.” He confirmed that the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group intends to register with the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) before April 1 to participate in this year’s Junkanoo Parades.

 The World Famous Valley Boys, however, expressed disappointment with the ruling and announced plans to appeal. In a statement, the group maintained that the court did not order it to change its name or invalidate its existence. It insisted that the ruling only affected its status as an NPO, not its ability to operate as a Junkanoo group, and confirmed that it remains fully registered with the JCNP in preparation for the  Junkanoo season.

 Justice Ellis further ordered that costs be awarded to the defendants, which include the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group, the Registrar General, and the Office of the Attorney General.

 The origins of the Valley Boys split involve concerns over leadership practices, financial transparency, and the lack of structured governance, which led to growing dissatisfaction among some members. Trevor Davis, a member since 1980, emerged as the interim chairman of the breakaway faction last year, citing the absence of fiscal accountability and regular elections as primary grievances.

 In the lead-up to the 2024 Boxing Day and 2025 New Year’s Day Junkanoo parades, the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) faced the challenge of determining which faction would officially represent the Valley Boys in the A Division. Initially, the JCNP recognised the World Famous group for the A Division, while Mr Davis’s faction was designated to participate in the Fun Division. However, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture later announced that both factions would be allowed to participate in the A Division, though Mr Davis’s group was not allowed to compete for prizes or placements.