A disciplinary committee of the Tonga Law Society that is challenging a Senior Law Practitioner and Cabinet Minister, Siosifa Tu'utafaiva, has not received his written submission in regards to alleged professional misconduct that was due in February.

Vice-President of the Tonga Law Society, Vuna Fa'otusia, said on April 8, that the committee had not received any response, despite giving the Minister enough time to respond.

The action is in relation to complaints made by two of Siosifa's former clients 'Aisea Vaitaki and Sione Vao who complained to the Law Society that they had paid him legal fees to file their claims in court which he did not do.

Vuna said the committee would pursue the matter and decide on a new recommendation to the Chief Justice, since there had been no response.

The disciplinary committee consisted of Tonga Law Society President Laki Niu, Petunia Tupou and Vuna Fa'otusia.

Chief Justice Scott in a judgment on 4 December 2012, quashed the a penalty recommendation from the committee and referred the matter back to them for the matter of penalty to be reconsidered according to law.

He said Siosifa should have been warned beforehand that the committee would proceed to consider penalty, immediately after any finding of guilt, or the hearing to be adjourned to give him a final opportunity to make recommendations as to penalty.

While undergoing the legal challenge, Siosifa who is a member of parliament, became a new Cabinet Minister on 2 February.