Statute Details
- Title: Fees (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — Supply of Copies of Reports and Statements) Order
- Act Code: FeA1920-OR27
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Fees Act (Cap. 106), Section 2
- Citation: Fees (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — Supply of Copies of Reports and Statements) Order
- Legislative History (key dates):
- 11 Apr 2003: G.N. No. S 198/2003
- 31 Mar 2005: Revised Edition (2005 RevEd)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Provisions:
- Section 2: Sets fees for supply of copies of reports and statements
- Section 3: Sets a search fee for locating reports/statements held by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
What Is This Legislation About?
The Fees (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — Supply of Copies of Reports and Statements) Order (“the Order”) is a subsidiary piece of legislation made under the Fees Act. Its practical purpose is straightforward: it authorises and specifies the monetary fees that the Controller of Immigration may charge when members of the public request copies of certain records held by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
In plain terms, the Order addresses two common administrative scenarios. First, it sets a fee for supplying a copy of a report and for supplying a copy of a statement recorded from an accused person (in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code). Second, it sets a search fee for the work involved in locating the relevant report or statement within ICA’s possession.
For lawyers, the Order matters because it affects the cost and process of obtaining documentary materials that may be relevant to criminal proceedings, complaints, or administrative follow-up. While it does not itself create a right to disclosure, it regulates the fees payable once the Controller permits supply of copies, and it clarifies that a separate charge may apply for searching ICA records.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the short title of the Order. This is standard legislative housekeeping, but it helps practitioners cite the instrument accurately in correspondence or submissions.
Section 2 (Fees for copies of reports and statements) is the core provision. It states that the following fees shall be leviable by the Controller of Immigration for copies of reports and statements that the Controller may permit to be supplied to the public:
(a) Copy of a report: $10
(b) Copy of a statement recorded from an accused person (under section 122 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68)): $10
Several practical points flow from this wording. First, the fee applies to “copies” of specified categories of records. Second, the Order ties the supply to what the Controller “may permit to be supplied to the public”. This indicates that the Controller retains discretion or is operating within a broader legal framework governing when such materials can be released. The Order does not expand access; it sets the price where access is permitted.
Section 3 (Search fee) provides for an additional fee: a $15 search fee is leviable “for every search for a report or statement in the possession of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.” This is important because it means that even if the ultimate outcome is that a copy is not supplied (or is supplied after additional steps), the administrative act of searching ICA’s records can trigger a charge.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the “every search” language suggests that multiple searches could lead to multiple search fees, depending on how ICA processes requests. Lawyers advising clients should therefore consider scoping requests carefully—e.g., by providing identifying details (dates, names, incident references, and any known report/statement identifiers) to reduce the likelihood of repeated or broad searches.
Notably, the Order does not specify exemptions (for example, for indigent applicants) or procedural safeguards (such as a requirement to notify the applicant of the search fee before conducting the search). As a result, practitioners should treat the fees as likely to be applied in accordance with ICA’s administrative practice, and should manage client expectations accordingly.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is brief and consists of three main sections:
Section 1 sets out the citation.
Section 2 establishes the fees for supply of copies—$10 for a copy of a report and $10 for a copy of a statement recorded from an accused person under section 122 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Section 3 establishes the search fee—$15 for every search for a report or statement in ICA’s possession.
There are no additional parts, schedules, or detailed procedural provisions in the extract provided. The instrument is designed to be an enabling fee schedule rather than a comprehensive disclosure regime.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The fees are leviable by the Controller of Immigration. The Order therefore applies to the Controller’s administration of requests for copies of specified ICA-held records. The “public” reference in section 2 indicates that the fee regime is relevant to members of the public seeking copies, rather than being limited to internal or inter-agency requests.
In terms of record categories, the Order covers: (i) copies of reports and (ii) copies of statements recorded from an accused person under section 122 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The latter ties the fee schedule to a specific procedural context in criminal law. Accordingly, the Order may be particularly relevant where an accused person (or their legal representatives) seeks access to statements recorded during criminal proceedings, subject to the applicable procedural and legal rules governing release of such materials.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is short, it has real operational impact. Documentary requests can be time-sensitive in legal practice—especially in criminal matters where defence preparation depends on obtaining and reviewing statements and reports. By setting fixed fees for copies and a separate search fee, the Order provides a predictable cost framework for obtaining ICA records.
For lawyers, the key significance lies in the interaction between access and cost. The Order does not itself determine whether a person is entitled to receive a copy; rather, it governs the fees payable when the Controller permits supply. This means that legal entitlement must be assessed under the relevant substantive and procedural law (including the Criminal Procedure Code provisions referenced in section 2(b)), while the Order determines the monetary charges once supply is permitted.
Practically, the separate search fee can affect strategy. Requests that are broad or insufficiently specified may lead to multiple searches and therefore multiple charges. Lawyers should therefore consider drafting requests with as much specificity as possible and, where appropriate, requesting that ICA confirm the scope of the search before incurring additional search fees. Even though the Order does not expressly require pre-notification, good practice can help avoid disputes about charges.
Finally, the fixed amounts ($10 for copies; $15 per search) make it easier to estimate expenses for clients and to budget for documentary retrieval. This can be relevant for legal aid discussions, cost submissions, or internal case management—particularly where multiple documents are sought.
Related Legislation
- Fees Act (Cap. 106), Section 2 (authorising provision for fee orders)
- Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68), Section 122 (referenced for statements recorded from an accused person)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Fees (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — Supply of Copies of Reports and Statements) Order for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.