Statute Details
- Title: Criminal Procedure Code (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2013
- Act Code: CPC2010-S364-2013
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68), section 428
- Commencement: 1 July 2013
- Current status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key provisions:
- Section 1: Citation and commencement
- Section 2: Prescribed fees (for applications for copies of records/grounds of decision and other record documents)
- Section 3: Waiver, remission or refund of fees
- Section 4: Revocation of the 2010 Regulations
What Is This Legislation About?
The Criminal Procedure Code (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2013 (“the Regulations”) is a fee-setting instrument made under the Criminal Procedure Code. In practical terms, it tells court registries and litigants what fees must be paid when an accused person, appellant, or other party applies to obtain copies of court records and related documents in criminal matters.
The Regulations sit alongside the Criminal Procedure Code provisions that govern applications for copies of records and documents. They do not change substantive criminal procedure (such as grounds of appeal or the conduct of hearings). Instead, they regulate the administrative cost of producing and providing copies—particularly where those copies are needed for an appeal or for preparing submissions.
For practitioners, the Regulations are important because they affect timing, budgeting, and access to documentary materials. Fees may be a barrier for some applicants, which is why the Regulations also provide a discretionary mechanism for waiver, remission, or refund by the relevant Registrar.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation and commencement) is straightforward: it provides the short title and states that the Regulations come into operation on 1 July 2013. This matters when determining which fee schedule applies to an application made before or after commencement.
Section 2 (Prescribed fees) is the core of the Regulations. It sets out two main fee regimes, each linked to specific sections of the Criminal Procedure Code.
First: Section 2(1) addresses fees for the purposes of section 377(6) of the Code. That provision relates to an application for copies of the record of proceedings and the grounds of decision in the context of an appeal. The Regulations distinguish between appeals from different courts and also address additional copies.
Under Section 2(1), where the notice of appeal is lodged in relation to a judgment, sentence or order of a Magistrate’s Court or District Court:
- $50 is payable (for the relevant application for copies of the record of proceedings and grounds of decision); and
- for an additional copy, the fee is $0.50 per page, subject to a minimum fee of $10 for each copy.
Where the notice of appeal is lodged in relation to a judgment, sentence or order of the General Division of the High Court, the fee is:
- $0.50 per page for a copy of the record of proceedings and grounds of decision, subject to a minimum fee of $10.
Second: Section 2(2) addresses fees for the purposes of section 426(1) of the Code. This provision concerns applications for copies of parts of the record in a criminal case or matter. Section 2(2) sets a structure that combines a per-document type fee with a per-page fee.
Specifically, for an application for a copy of any judgment, sentence, order, deposition or other part of the record of proceedings in a criminal case or matter, the prescribed fee is:
- $5, payable at the time of the application, for each type of document requested; and
- $0.50 per page for the requested documents;
with a total minimum fee of $15 for each type of document requested. This minimum fee operates as a floor even where the requested document is short.
Practitioner note on fee calculation: The Regulations use both “per page” and “minimum fee” concepts. When advising clients or preparing applications, counsel should identify (i) the court from which the appeal arises (Magistrate’s/District vs General Division of the High Court), (ii) whether the request is for additional copies, and (iii) for section 426(1) applications, how many “types of document” are requested (e.g., judgment vs deposition vs sentence), because each type attracts the $5 fee and the $15 minimum.
Section 3 (Waiver, remission or refund of fees) provides an important safety valve. It states that the Registrar of the Supreme Court or the Registrar of the State Courts, as the case may be, may, as he thinks fit, waive, remit or refund wholly or in part any fee paid or payable under the Regulations.
This discretionary power is significant for access to justice. In practice, it allows the court registries to respond to circumstances such as financial hardship or other relevant considerations. While the Regulations do not prescribe criteria, the existence of this provision means that counsel should consider whether an application for waiver/remission/refund is appropriate—particularly where documentary copies are necessary for an appeal or for meaningful participation in proceedings.
Section 4 (Revocation) revokes the earlier Criminal Procedure Code (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2010 (G.N. No. S 799/2010). This ensures that the 2013 Regulations replace the 2010 fee schedule. For historical cases, practitioners should check the relevant version applicable at the time the application was made.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Regulations are concise and structured into four sections:
- Section 1 sets the citation and commencement date.
- Section 2 contains the substantive fee schedule, split into two subsections corresponding to different Criminal Procedure Code triggers: section 377(6) (appeal-related copies of record and grounds of decision) and section 426(1) (copies of documents in criminal cases or matters).
- Section 3 provides the discretionary mechanism for waiver, remission, or refund by the relevant Registrar.
- Section 4 revokes the 2010 Regulations.
There are no extensive “Parts” or elaborate procedural rules; the Regulations are designed to be used as a quick reference for fee amounts and administrative discretion.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Regulations apply to applications for copies of court records and documents in criminal matters, where those applications fall within the scope of the linked provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code—namely section 377(6) and section 426(1).
In terms of parties, the Regulations are relevant to litigants and their representatives who request copies, including appellants and persons preparing appeals, as well as parties seeking copies of judgments, sentences, orders, depositions, or other record components. The fee-setting mechanism is administered by the Registrar of the Supreme Court or the Registrar of the State Courts, depending on the court context.
Although the Regulations do not expressly define “applicant” or “party,” the practical effect is that anyone who requests the specified categories of copies and whose request is governed by the referenced Criminal Procedure Code provisions must pay the prescribed fees unless the Registrar exercises discretion under Section 3.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Regulations are narrow in subject matter, they have real operational impact. Documentary records are essential for criminal appeals and for ensuring that submissions are grounded in the actual proceedings. By prescribing fees, the Regulations influence the cost and accessibility of obtaining those materials.
For practitioners, the key importance lies in accurate fee calculation and correct application framing. A misstep—such as misunderstanding whether a request is for an appeal-related record/grounds of decision under section 377(6) or for other record documents under section 426(1)—can lead to incorrect payment, delays, or administrative back-and-forth. Counsel should therefore map the client’s request to the correct Criminal Procedure Code trigger and then apply the corresponding fee schedule in Section 2.
Second, Section 3’s waiver/remission/refund discretion is a practical tool for managing client affordability. In cases involving indigence or limited means, counsel should consider proactively whether to request waiver or remission. While the Regulations do not set out eligibility criteria, the existence of the discretion means that registries can tailor outcomes “wholly or in part” to the circumstances.
Finally, the Regulations’ amendment history (including amendments effective in 2014 and 2021) underscores the need to check the current version and the version applicable at the relevant time. Fee schedules can change, and practitioners should avoid relying on outdated figures when advising clients or preparing applications.
Related Legislation
- Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68) — particularly sections 377(6), 426(1), and the regulation-making power in section 428.
- Criminal Procedure Code (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2010 (G.N. No. S 799/2010) — revoked by Section 4.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Criminal Procedure Code (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2013 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.