Competition Commission Clarifies on the Notification Fees for Guidance or Decision

(Issued on 4 April 2007)

1. In various media reports, President of the SMA Council, Dr Wong Chiang Yin, was quoted as giving the information that it may cost $200,000 to seek a guidance from the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS). 

2. In order not to deter parties from seeking the guidance of CCS, we would like to clarify that the fees payable are not of this amount. 

3. Parties applying for a notification for guidance will only pay an initial fee of $3,000. They do not have to incur legal fees to make the application for guidance. If the case is complex and requires much further significant economic and legal analysis, the applicant will be asked whether he intends to proceed with the complex notification for guidance, which will cost an additional $20,000. This is only if the case requires further research and studies. We have instances where parties have already sought and obtained guidance from CCS for the initial fee of $3,000. 

4. For parties seeking a decision from CCS, the fee is higher because a decision requires much more definitive work to be done, including consulting third parties. The fee payable is $5000 for a simple case and an additional $40,000 for a complex case. 

5. More information on the Filing Notifications for Guidance/Decision can be found on our website at www.ccs.gov.sg.