Statute Details
- Title: Fees (Police Services) Order 2018
- Act Code: FeA1920-S573-2018
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Number: S 573/2018
- Authorising Act: Fees Act (Cap. 106)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Finance (pursuant to section 2 of the Fees Act)
- Made Date: 5 September 2018
- Commencement Date: Not stated in the provided extract (commencement typically follows the “made” date or as specified in the instrument)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
- Key Provisions (from extract): Section 2 (fees payable to Commander “A” Division); Section 3 (revocation of 2014 Order)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Fees (Police Services) Order 2018 is a Singapore subsidiary legal instrument that sets out the fees payable for specified police-related matters or services. In practical terms, it operates as the “pricing schedule” for certain police services, identifying (i) the relevant matters in one column and (ii) the corresponding fees in a second column.
The Order is made under the Fees Act (Cap. 106). That parent Act provides the legal framework for imposing and collecting fees for services or matters administered by public authorities. Under the Fees Act, the Minister for Finance may make Orders specifying the fees payable for particular categories of services. This 2018 Order is one such instrument, focused specifically on police services.
Although the extract provided does not reproduce the full Schedule (the part that lists the specific matters and fee amounts), the operative structure is clear: the Schedule is the controlling document for the fee amounts, while the main provisions confirm who receives the fees and which earlier fee Order is replaced.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the short title of the instrument: it is the Fees (Police Services) Order 2018. While this is standard drafting, it matters for legal referencing in correspondence, submissions, and enforcement actions.
Section 2 (Fees) is the core operative provision. It states that “the fees specified in the second column of the Schedule are payable to the Commander ‘A’ Division” in respect of the matters specified in the first column. This provision does three important things for practitioners:
- It ties payment obligations to the Schedule: the Schedule is not merely illustrative; it is the definitive source of the fee amounts.
- It identifies the payee: the fees are payable to the Commander “A” Division. This is significant for administrative processing and for determining the correct recipient for payment (e.g., when advising clients on payment instructions or when dealing with disputes about whether a fee was properly paid).
- It links “matters” to “fees”: the first column identifies the relevant police matter/service category, and the second column provides the fee. This is the legal mechanism by which a fee becomes payable.
Section 3 (Revocation) provides that the Fees (Police Services) Order 2014 (G.N. No. S 452/2014) is revoked. Revocation is a critical legal event: it ensures that the 2014 fee schedule no longer applies and that the 2018 schedule becomes the operative basis for fee collection. For lawyers, this affects advice on which fee regime applies to a given transaction—particularly where the timing of the request, application, or service is relevant.
The Schedule (not reproduced in the extract) is the substantive content. In fee Orders, the Schedule typically lists categories of police services (for example, administrative processing, certifications, permits, or other police-related actions) and the corresponding amounts. Even though the extract does not show the Schedule’s entries, the legal effect is that the Schedule governs the fee amounts and the scope of matters for which fees are payable. Any practitioner advising on the correct fee must therefore consult the Schedule in the current version.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured in a conventional format for Singapore subsidiary legislation made under the Fees Act:
- Enacting Formula: confirms that the Minister for Finance is exercising powers conferred by section 2 of the Fees Act.
- Citation (Section 1): provides the name of the instrument.
- Fees (Section 2): establishes the payment obligation and identifies the payee (Commander “A” Division) and the method of determining the fee (by reference to the Schedule).
- Revocation (Section 3): replaces the earlier 2014 Order.
- The Schedule: contains the actual fee table—matters in the first column and fee amounts in the second column.
From a legal research and compliance perspective, the Schedule is the most practically important part. The sections are largely enabling and administrative, while the Schedule is where the monetary obligations are defined.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Order applies to persons (individuals or entities) who request, obtain, or are otherwise subject to the police services or matters listed in the Schedule. The fee obligation is triggered “in respect of the matters” specified in the first column. Therefore, the relevant question for applicability is not the identity of the payer, but whether the payer’s request or situation falls within one of the Schedule’s categories.
On the receiving side, the Order directs that fees are payable to the Commander “A” Division. While the Commander is an internal organisational designation within the police administration, the legal effect is that payment should be made to the specified office for the relevant matters. In practice, this affects how clients are instructed to pay and how disputes about payment receipt may be handled.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the extract is brief, the Order is important because it operationalises the Fees Act for police-related services. Fee Orders like this one are frequently encountered in day-to-day legal practice—particularly in administrative workflows, documentation requests, and matters where a client must pay a prescribed charge to obtain a police-related service or outcome.
First, it provides legal certainty on the amount payable and the categories of matters that attract fees. Without such an Order, there would be less clear statutory authority for charging specific amounts. For practitioners, this supports defensible advice: clients can be told that the fee is not merely an administrative charge but a legally prescribed fee under subsidiary legislation.
Second, the revocation clause (Section 3) means that the 2014 fee schedule is no longer valid. This is crucial when advising on historical transactions, refunds, or disputes. If a client paid under the 2014 Order for a matter that is governed by the 2018 schedule, the timing and applicable version may become central. Conversely, if a client paid under the 2018 schedule for a matter that should have been governed by the 2014 schedule (depending on commencement timing and the date of the relevant request), the applicable fee regime may be contested.
Third, the identification of the payee (Commander “A” Division) can matter in procedural disputes. For example, if a client pays to the wrong account or office, the question may arise whether the fee was “payable to” the specified authority. While operational banking details are typically handled administratively, the legal text provides the authoritative payee designation.
Related Legislation
- Fees Act (Cap. 106) — the enabling Act under which the Minister for Finance makes fee Orders.
- Fees (Police Services) Order 2014 (G.N. No. S 452/2014) — revoked by Section 3 of this Order.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Fees (Police Services) Order 2018 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.