Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act / Instrument Code: RELA1983-N10
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL notice)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), Section 17(5)
- Instrument Reference: G.N. No. S 560/1997
- Revised Edition: 1998 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Central Provident Fund Act
- Revised Edition Date: 15 June 1998 (1998 RevEd)
- Commencement / Come into force: 1 January 1998
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Related Legislation (as stated): Central Provident Fund Act (Chapter 36)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a formal notice issued under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain terms, it tells the public that a particular revised edition of subsidiary legislation—covering subsidiary rules made under the Central Provident Fund Act (Cap. 36)—has been prepared and that a specified date has been appointed for it to come into force.
The notice is not a substantive policy law about CPF contributions, withdrawals, or benefits. Instead, it is part of Singapore’s legal publishing and consolidation framework. The key function is to provide legal certainty by ensuring that practitioners and the public can rely on an official consolidated text that incorporates amendments up to a defined cut-off date.
According to the enacting formula, the Law Revision Commissioners published the 1998 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation made under the Central Provident Fund Act, incorporating amendments up to 30 November 1997. The notice then appoints 1 January 1998 as the date the revised edition comes into force. This means that, from that date, the revised edition becomes the operative reference point for the relevant subsidiary legislation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority under Section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The notice is grounded in section 17(5), which empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of subsidiary legislation and to have them come into force on a date appointed by notice. Practically, this mechanism ensures that the revised edition is not merely a compilation for convenience; it is given legal effect as the authoritative text.
2. Publication of the 1998 Revised Edition. The notice states that, pursuant to section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners have published the 1998 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Central Provident Fund Act. The notice further clarifies that the revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 30 November 1997. For lawyers, this cut-off date is crucial: it indicates the completeness of the consolidation and helps determine whether later amendments (after 30 November 1997) would need to be consulted separately.
3. Appointment of the commencement date. The operative content is the appointment of 1 January 1998 as the date the revised edition comes into force. This is the legal pivot point. Even though the notice is dated and published on 15 June 1998 (as part of the 1998 Revised Edition), the “come into force” date is earlier. This can matter in disputes about the applicable legal text for events occurring between 1 January 1998 and the date of publication.
4. Notice “for general information”. The notice is expressly “hereby notified for general information.” While this phrase is common in legislative notices, it signals that the instrument is intended to inform and guide reliance on the revised edition. It does not create new rights or obligations by itself; rather, it affects which version of the subsidiary legislation is legally authoritative.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short legislative notice rather than a full Act with multiple parts or sections. In the extract provided, the document consists primarily of:
(a) a heading identifying it as a “Notice under Section 17(5)”; (b) status information (current version as at 27 March 2026); (c) an enacting formula referencing the Revised Edition of the Laws Act; and (d) the substantive notification that appoints the commencement date for the 1998 revised edition of CPF subsidiary legislation.
In terms of legal research workflow, the “structure” you will typically interact with is not the internal sections (because there are effectively none in the substantive sense), but the timeline and versioning features. The extract indicates a legislative timeline showing the instrument reference (G.N. No. S 560/1997), the revised edition date (15 June 1998), and the revised edition coming into force (1 January 1998). These metadata elements are essential for practitioners confirming the correct version of the legal text.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the notice itself is addressed “for general information,” its practical effect applies to everyone who relies on the subsidiary legislation made under the Central Provident Fund Act—most notably employers, employees, CPF administrators, legal practitioners, and courts. The notice determines the authoritative consolidated text for the relevant subsidiary instruments as of the appointed commencement date.
More specifically, the notice affects the legal reference framework for CPF-related subsidiary legislation. It does not directly regulate conduct by itself; instead, it governs which version of the subsidiary legislation is to be treated as the operative text. Therefore, the “applicability” is best understood as applying to the interpretation and enforcement of the CPF subsidiary legislation during and after the commencement date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though this notice is brief, it is important for legal certainty and for the integrity of legal research. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate, consolidated texts. Revised editions help ensure that practitioners are not forced to piece together multiple amendments from different dates. By appointing a commencement date, the notice ensures that the revised edition is not merely informational but becomes the legally effective consolidated reference.
For practitioners, the key value lies in version control. When advising clients or preparing submissions, lawyers must identify the correct legal framework applicable to the relevant time period. This notice provides a clear answer for the CPF subsidiary legislation: from 1 January 1998, the 1998 revised edition (incorporating amendments up to 30 November 1997) is the authoritative consolidated text.
In litigation or compliance matters, this can affect outcomes in subtle ways. For example, if a dispute concerns a regulatory requirement or procedural rule contained in CPF subsidiary legislation, counsel must ensure that the correct consolidated version is cited. If later amendments were made after the cut-off date, those amendments would need to be consulted separately. Conversely, if the relevant conduct occurred after 1 January 1998, relying on the revised edition may be necessary to avoid citing outdated or superseded wording.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), Section 17(5)
- Central Provident Fund Act (Chapter 36)
- Timeline / Legislation history (as referenced in the instrument’s online presentation)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Notice under Section 17 (5) for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.