A total of 1,530 unresolved complaints dating as far back as 2009 are currently before the Legal Practitioners Unit.
Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga revealed the figures in a written parliamentary response to Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu.
Mr Seruiratu had asked for the total number of unresolved complaints before the Legal Practitioners Unit, including a breakdown of the year in which each complaint was received.
“The total number of unresolved complaints currently before the Legal Practitioners Unit (LPU), together with a breakdown by the year in which each complaint was received,” Mr Turaga said in providing the figures.
The records show two complaints from 2009 remain unresolved, while 14 date back to 2010 and 16 to 2011.
The backlog increased significantly in subsequent years, with 44 unresolved complaints from 2012, 62 from 2013, 78 from 2014 and 89 from 2015.
There are also 96 unresolved complaints dating from 2016, 100 from 2017, 114 each from 2018 and 2020, and 116 from 2019.
More recent figures include 106 unresolved complaints from 2021, 122 from 2022, 120 from 2023 and 108 from 2024.
The largest number relates to 2025, with 132 unresolved complaints, while 97 complaints received in 2026 remain unresolved.
Mr Turaga also provided Parliament with an update on disciplinary proceedings before the Independent Legal Services Commission covering the period from October 31, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
“The figures capture all active and pending disciplinary proceedings between 31 October 2025 and 30 June 2026,” he said.
As of June 30, there were nine pending disciplinary cases.
Twelve new cases were registered or filed between November 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, while three cases were disposed of or completed during the same period.
Of the nine pending matters, five involve professional misconduct applications and four involve unsatisfactory professional conduct applications.
One matter was awaiting judgment or a ruling after hearings had concluded and the decision had been reserved.
