Statute Details
- Title: Powers of Attorney (Scale of Fees) Rules
- Act Code: CLPA1886-R1
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (Rules)
- Authorising Act: Conveyancing and Law of Property Act (Cap. 61), s 48(7)
- Citation: Powers of Attorney (Scale of Fees) Rules (R 1)
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Legislative History (key dates): Revised Edition 1990 (25th March 1992); originally commenced 1st June 1988 (G.N. No. S 125/1988)
- Key Provisions: Rule 1 (Citation); Rule 2 (Fees payable in the Registry of the Supreme Court)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Powers of Attorney (Scale of Fees) Rules set out the fixed fees that must be charged by the Registry of the Supreme Court in connection with the deposit of powers of attorney and related documents. In practical terms, the Rules tell lawyers and clients what the Registry will charge for (i) depositing a power of attorney (or a true or office copy), (ii) obtaining copies or extracts, (iii) examining and stamping/marking documents as office copies, (iv) searching the index of deposited documents, and (v) inspecting deposited documents.
These Rules do not create substantive rules about how powers of attorney must be drafted, executed, or used. Instead, they operate as an administrative fee schedule supporting the broader legal framework for the deposit and public availability of powers of attorney in Singapore. The underlying policy is to facilitate certainty and accessibility: once deposited, a power of attorney can be searched, copied, and inspected through the Registry’s processes.
For practitioners, the Rules are important because they affect costing, client billing, and workflow when handling matters that require depositing a power of attorney or obtaining Registry-certified copies. Knowing the correct fees helps avoid undercharging or overcharging and ensures smooth processing when documents are submitted or retrieved.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Rule 1 (Citation) is straightforward. It provides the short title by which the Rules may be cited: the Powers of Attorney (Scale of Fees) Rules. While not operational, citation rules matter for legal referencing, compliance, and accurate documentation in correspondence and submissions.
Rule 2 (Fees) is the core provision. It states that “the following fees shall be taken in the Registry of the Supreme Court.” This language is significant: it indicates that the fees are statutorily prescribed and therefore should be applied consistently by the Registry. The Rules then break down fees by activity.
Depositing a power of attorney (or a true or office copy): Under Rule 2(1), the fee is $1.50 “on depositing a power of attorney or a true or office copy thereof.” This is the entry fee for the deposit process. Practically, if a lawyer is arranging deposit as part of a conveyancing or property-related transaction, this fee is a baseline cost that should be included in the overall disbursements.
Copies or extracts from deposited documents: Rule 2(2) provides a per-page fee structure. For copies or extracts “per page”:
- without certification: $1.50
- with certification: $3.00
This distinction is important. “Certification” typically means the copy is certified by the Registry as an accurate copy of the deposited document. In many legal transactions, certified copies are required for evidential or administrative purposes. Lawyers should therefore confirm whether the receiving party (e.g., a bank, counterparty, or government agency) requires certification, because the fee difference is material.
Examining and stamping/marking as an office copy: Rule 2(3) addresses a further step where a copy presented for that purpose is examined and then stamped or marked as an office copy. The fees vary depending on the type of copy:
- photographic, xerox or carbon copy: 80 cents for each page
- any other case: $1.50 for each folio of 100 words
This provision reflects the Registry’s administrative handling of different document formats. For practitioners, it signals that the cost may depend on how the document is reproduced. If a matter requires an office copy and the lawyer is choosing between different reproduction methods, the fee schedule may influence the most cost-effective approach—subject always to the Registry’s acceptance requirements.
Searching the index: Rule 2(4) provides that for “searching the index of deposited documents per name for each year,” the fee is $4.50. This is a per-name, per-year charge. Practically, if a search is needed across multiple years or for multiple individuals, the fees can accumulate. Lawyers should therefore scope searches carefully and, where possible, narrow the time period or confirm the exact name spelling to avoid unnecessary additional charges.
Inspecting a deposited document: Rule 2(5) provides a fee of $1.50 for “inspecting a deposited document.” Inspection is often sought for due diligence, verification of authority, or preparation of transaction documents. The fee is modest, but it is still a disbursement that should be accounted for when advising clients or preparing cost estimates.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Powers of Attorney (Scale of Fees) Rules are structured in a minimal, functional way. The Rules contain:
(1) Rule 1: Citation.
(2) Rule 2: Fees—comprising multiple sub-paragraphs that set out specific charges for different Registry activities.
There are no “Parts” or complex section numbering in the extract provided. The Rules operate as a compact schedule: they identify the Registry, the activities that trigger fees, and the amount payable for each activity.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Rules apply to persons who interact with the Registry of the Supreme Court in relation to deposited powers of attorney and related documents. In practice, this includes lawyers acting for clients, as well as clients or other authorised persons who request deposit, copies, searches, or inspection.
Although the Rules are framed as a fee schedule, they indirectly affect any party who needs access to deposited powers of attorney—whether for transaction execution, verification of authority, or record-keeping. The fee obligations attach to the Registry’s services (deposit, copying, certification, office-copy stamping, index searching, and inspection), rather than to the substantive legal validity of the power of attorney itself.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Powers of Attorney (Scale of Fees) Rules are short, they are important because they provide certainty and uniformity in the Registry’s charging practices. For practitioners, fee schedules are not merely administrative details: they affect how costs are calculated, how clients are advised, and how documents are requested and processed.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the Rules prescribe the fees that “shall be taken” by the Registry. This wording supports the view that the Registry should not charge different amounts for the listed services. As a result, lawyers can rely on the Rules when preparing disbursement estimates and when reconciling invoices or receipts from the Registry.
Practically, the Rules also influence transaction planning. For example, if a matter requires multiple certified copies, or if a search is needed across several years, the per-page and per-year charges can affect the overall cost. Similarly, if an office copy must be stamped or marked, the fee depends on the reproduction method (photographic/xerox/carbon versus other formats). Understanding these distinctions helps lawyers make informed choices and avoid delays or rework.
Finally, the Rules support the broader legal ecosystem for powers of attorney deposit and access. Deposited documents are part of an evidential and administrative infrastructure. By enabling searches and inspections at known costs, the Rules help ensure that authority under powers of attorney can be verified efficiently—an essential step in many property, corporate, and transactional contexts.
Related Legislation
- Conveyancing and Law of Property Act (Cap. 61), s 48(7) (authorising provision for these Rules)
- Property Act (referenced in the provided metadata as related legislation)
- Timeline (legislative history reference tool within the legislation portal)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Powers of Attorney (Scale of Fees) Rules for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.