Statute Details
- Title: Criminal Procedure Code (Fees for First Information and Accused’s Criminal Records) Regulations 2011
- Act Code: CPC2010-S38-2011
- Legislative Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Enacting Authority: Made in exercise of powers conferred by section 428 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (Act 15 of 2010)
- Commencement: 28 January 2011
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key Provisions: Regulations 1–4; notably:
- Regulation 2: Fee for copies of “first information” recorded under section 14(6) of the Code
- Regulation 3: Fee for copies of an accused’s criminal records under specified Code provisions
- Regulation 4: Power to reduce or waive fees
- Notable Amendment: S 849/2022 (effective 1 November 2022)—amended the fee for first information copies (second and subsequent copies)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Criminal Procedure Code (Fees for First Information and Accused’s Criminal Records) Regulations 2011 (“the Regulations”) is a subsidiary legislative instrument that sets out specific administrative fees payable for obtaining certain copies of criminal procedure records in Singapore. In practical terms, it addresses a narrow but important question: how much a person must pay to receive (i) a copy of “first information” recorded by the authorities, and (ii) a copy of an accused person’s criminal records.
These fees are not arbitrary. They are tied to particular provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (“the Code”), where the law permits or requires access to these records for procedural purposes—such as preparing for proceedings, verifying information, or enabling the court and parties to consider relevant material.
While the Regulations are short, they have real consequences for defence practice and case management. Lawyers often need timely access to documents, and the fee structure can affect whether parties obtain copies immediately, request multiple copies, or seek waivers where appropriate.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Regulation 1 (Citation and commencement) provides the legal identity and start date of the Regulations. It confirms that the Regulations may be cited as the “Criminal Procedure Code (Fees for First Information and Accused’s Criminal Records) Regulations 2011” and that they came into operation on 28 January 2011.
Regulation 2 (Fee for first information recorded) is the first substantive provision. It governs the fee payable for a copy of the information recorded under section 14(6) of the Code. Section 14(6) of the Code concerns the recording of “first information” (in the sense used in Singapore criminal procedure) and the availability of copies for procedural use. The Regulations prescribe a tiered fee:
- First copy: free of charge
- Second or subsequent copies: $18 per copy
The Regulations also specify that the fee is payable to the Commissioner of Police. This matters for practitioners because it identifies the correct authority for payment and administration of the request.
Importantly, the fee for second/subsequent copies was amended by S 849/2022 effective 1 November 2022. Practitioners should therefore ensure they are using the current fee schedule when making requests after that date.
Regulation 3 (Fee for criminal records of accused) sets the fee for obtaining a copy of an accused person’s criminal records. It is linked to several specific Code provisions: sections 166(1)(c), 196(1)(b), and 218(1)(b). These provisions relate to circumstances where criminal records may be relevant to procedural decisions (for example, in sentencing-related contexts or other procedural stages where prior convictions or records are relevant).
The Regulations prescribe two different fee amounts depending on the payment channel and location:
- $32 if payment is made to the Head Criminal Records Office (Criminal Investigation Department) of the Singapore Police Force using an approved Internet service (as may be approved by the Commissioner of Police)
- $45 if payment is made to the same office at a place determined by him
From a practitioner’s perspective, this distinction is operationally significant. The lower fee ($32) incentivises use of the approved online payment route, but it also requires that the relevant internet service is available and approved for the purpose. Where urgent document retrieval is needed, counsel should consider whether online payment will expedite processing compared to in-person payment.
Regulation 4 (Reduction or waiver of fees) provides a discretionary mechanism to mitigate the impact of fees. It empowers the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs (or any person authorised by him) to reduce or waive, wholly or in part any fee payable under the Regulations.
This is a key provision for fairness and access to justice. In practice, it allows the authorities to consider circumstances where a strict fee requirement may be burdensome. For lawyers, Regulation 4 is a procedural lever: if a client cannot reasonably afford the fee, or if the circumstances warrant relief, counsel may seek a waiver or reduction. While the Regulations do not specify criteria, the existence of the power means that fee hardship is not necessarily an absolute bar to obtaining the relevant documents.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Regulations are structured as a short set of four regulations:
- Regulation 1: Citation and commencement (28 January 2011)
- Regulation 2: Fee schedule for copies of “first information” recorded under section 14(6) of the Code, including the free first copy and $18 for second/subsequent copies
- Regulation 3: Fee schedule for copies of an accused’s criminal records under specified Code provisions, with different fees for online versus in-person payment
- Regulation 4: Discretionary power to reduce or waive fees by the Permanent Secretary (or authorised person)
There are no complex parts or schedules in the text extract provided; the operative content is contained directly in the four regulations.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Regulations apply to persons who seek copies of two categories of records in the context of criminal proceedings under the Criminal Procedure Code 2010: (1) copies of “first information” recorded under section 14(6), and (2) copies of an accused person’s criminal records under the specified Code provisions (sections 166(1)(c), 196(1)(b), and 218(1)(b)).
In terms of practical application, the fees are payable to the relevant authorities: the Commissioner of Police for first information copies, and the Head Criminal Records Office (CID) for criminal records copies. The Regulations therefore affect defence counsel, accused persons, and other parties who request these documents for procedural purposes, as well as the administrative workflow of the Singapore Police Force.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Regulations are narrow in scope, they are important because they govern access to procedural documents. In criminal practice, document availability can affect the ability to prepare submissions, verify factual records, and respond to procedural developments. Even small fee differences can influence whether a party obtains multiple copies or waits, which in turn can affect timelines.
The Regulations also provide clarity and predictability. By specifying fixed amounts ($18 for second/subsequent first information copies; $32 or $45 for criminal records depending on payment method), the Regulations reduce uncertainty and help counsel advise clients on the likely cost of obtaining these documents.
Finally, Regulation 4’s power to reduce or waive fees is a meaningful safeguard. It recognises that fee barriers can arise in real cases and gives the executive branch a mechanism to address hardship. For practitioners, this means that where fees are a concern, counsel should consider whether a waiver or reduction application is appropriate rather than assuming that the fee requirement is insurmountable.
Related Legislation
- Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (Act 15 of 2010), including:
- Section 14(6) (first information and copies)
- Sections 166(1)(c), 196(1)(b), and 218(1)(b) (criminal records of accused)
- Section 428 (authorising power to make regulations)
- Criminal Procedure Code (Fees for First Information and Accused’s Criminal Records) Regulations 2011 amendment: S 849/2022 (effective 1 November 2022)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Criminal Procedure Code (Fees for First Information and Accused’s Criminal Records) Regulations 2011 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.