The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Chris Bryant, ordered an independent judge-led review of the Parades Commission's decision-making procedures on 1 September 2026, according to the Northern Ireland Office. The move followed a High Court ruling the previous week on the Drumcree parade. Bryant met commissioners that morning to discuss their response.

Bryant said the judge would examine the Commission's processes and report directly to him. He said he was satisfied the issues raised were being taken seriously and that progress was being made, but that an independent review was needed to provide assurance and consider improvements. He expressed full backing for the current commissioners and asked officials to launch a public appointments process as soon as possible, noting one commissioner had resigned and others were approaching the end of their terms.

The department said three members' terms end in December 2026 and the remaining two at the end of March 2027, with reviewer details and terms of reference to follow. It also said fewer than 5% of the near 4,000 parades held annually are deemed sensitive.