Statute Details
- Title: Criminal Procedure Code (Viewing of Exhibits) Regulations 2025
- Act Code: CPC2010-S321-2025
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Enacting Formula / Authority: Made by the Minister for Law under section 428 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010
- Commencement: 26 May 2025
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Provisions: Section 1 (citation and commencement); Section 2 (prescribed places for viewing of exhibits); Schedule (prescribed places)
- Relevant Cross-References (within the Criminal Procedure Code 2010): sections 166(2A)(b), 218(2A)(b), and 225C(2)(b)
- Legislative Instrument Number: SL 321/2025
- Date Made: 19 May 2025
What Is This Legislation About?
The Criminal Procedure Code (Viewing of Exhibits) Regulations 2025 (“the Regulations”) is a procedural instrument that supports how parties in criminal proceedings access and view documentary exhibits and other exhibits. In practical terms, it answers a logistical but legally important question: where can an accused person, their counsel, or other entitled parties go to view specified exhibits during the course of a case.
Singapore’s Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (“the Code”) contains provisions that allow for viewing of exhibits in certain circumstances—typically linked to disclosure, preparation for trial, and procedural fairness. However, the Code does not itself specify the physical locations where viewing must take place. The Regulations fill that gap by prescribing the places listed in the Schedule.
Although the Regulations are short, they have real operational impact. For defence counsel, prosecutors, and court administrators, the prescribed viewing locations affect timelines, case management, and compliance with statutory rights. For parties seeking to rely on exhibits, the ability to view them at the correct place (and within the procedural framework) can influence whether subsequent applications, adjournments, or evidential challenges are properly grounded.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation and commencement) provides that the Regulations may be cited as the Criminal Procedure Code (Viewing of Exhibits) Regulations 2025 and that they come into operation on 26 May 2025. For practitioners, the commencement date matters because it determines which procedural regime applies to cases and steps taken on or after that date.
Section 2 (Prescribed places for viewing of exhibits) is the core operative provision. It states that, for the purposes of the Code provisions—sections 166(2A)(b), 218(2A)(b), and 225C(2)(b)—the prescribed places where a documentary exhibit or an exhibit (as applicable) may be viewed are the premises specified in the Schedule.
In plain language, Section 2 does not itself describe the exhibits or the entitlement to view them; instead, it designates the venue for viewing. The cross-references to the Code provisions indicate that the Regulations are designed to operate within specific procedural moments contemplated by the Code. Where those Code sections require or permit viewing, the Regulations ensure that viewing occurs at legally prescribed premises.
The Schedule (Prescribed places) is where the actual list of locations is set out. The extract provided indicates that the Schedule contains “Prescribed places,” but the specific premises are not reproduced in the excerpt. Practitioners should consult the full text of the Schedule in the official legislation database to identify the exact locations. In practice, the Schedule is likely to include premises such as court-related facilities, prosecution or evidence management centres, or other designated government premises where exhibits can be safely handled and viewed under controlled conditions.
Practical compliance point: Because Section 2 is framed as “for the purposes of” the specified Code provisions, parties should treat the Schedule as mandatory for statutory viewing. If a party attempts to view exhibits at an unprescribed location, the viewing may not satisfy the procedural requirement embedded in the Code. That can matter if a later dispute arises about whether disclosure or viewing was properly afforded.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Regulations are structured in a simple format:
(1) Section 1 sets out the citation and commencement date.
(2) Section 2 provides the operative rule: it links the Code’s viewing provisions to the prescribed places in the Schedule.
(3) The Schedule lists the “Prescribed places” where viewing may be carried out. This Schedule is the key document for day-to-day implementation, as it determines the physical venue for exhibit viewing.
There are no additional parts or complex sub-sections in the extract. The Regulations function as a targeted procedural mechanism rather than a comprehensive reform of criminal procedure.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Regulations apply to participants in criminal proceedings who are entitled to view exhibits under the specified provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010—namely, those provisions cross-referenced in Section 2: sections 166(2A)(b), 218(2A)(b), and 225C(2)(b). While the extract does not reproduce the content of those Code sections, the structure strongly suggests that the entitlement is tied to procedural stages where viewing of exhibits is relevant (for example, disclosure-related steps, preparation for trial, or other statutory processes).
In practical terms, the Regulations affect:
- Accused persons and defence counsel who need to inspect documentary or other exhibits to prepare submissions, cross-examination, or evidential challenges;
- Prosecution and relevant agencies responsible for facilitating viewing and ensuring exhibits are made available at the correct premises;
- Court administration and case management personnel who coordinate access to exhibits and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
The Regulations do not appear to create new substantive rights to view exhibits; rather, they regulate where viewing must occur when the Code provides for it.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Regulations are brief, they play a significant role in safeguarding procedural fairness. Exhibit viewing is often a practical prerequisite to effective legal representation. Without access to exhibits, counsel may be unable to assess evidential strength, identify inconsistencies, verify authenticity, or decide whether to pursue applications (such as requests for further disclosure, evidential objections, or adjournments to prepare).
By prescribing specific places for viewing, the Regulations help ensure that viewing is conducted in controlled environments. This can protect the integrity of exhibits (including documentary exhibits and physical items), reduce risks of loss or tampering, and enable proper record-keeping. It also supports consistent administration across cases, preventing ad hoc arrangements that could lead to disputes about whether statutory viewing requirements were met.
From an enforcement and litigation perspective, the Regulations can become relevant in procedural disputes. For example, if a defence counsel alleges that viewing was not properly facilitated, the prescribed places in the Schedule provide an objective benchmark. Conversely, if the prosecution or relevant agencies comply by offering viewing at the Schedule premises, that compliance can be used to rebut claims that the statutory process was not followed.
Finally, the commencement date (26 May 2025) matters for practitioners handling cases around that period. Where exhibit viewing steps occur after commencement, counsel should ensure that requests and arrangements align with the Regulations. Where steps occurred before commencement, parties may need to consider whether an earlier version of similar regulations applied.
Related Legislation
- Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (especially sections 166(2A)(b), 218(2A)(b), and 225C(2)(b))
- Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (authorising provision: section 428)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Criminal Procedure Code (Viewing of Exhibits) Regulations 2025 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.