Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S125-2005
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL) Notice
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), section 17(5)
- Document Number: S 125
- Publication / Date: Dated 28 February 2005
- Commencement (as stated): 31 March 2005 (appointed as the date the 2005 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation comes into force)
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key Provision (substance): Appointment of the commencement date for the “2005 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation”
- Schedule: The notice is set out in “THE SCHEDULE”
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 language, it tells the public when a particular revised compilation of Singapore’s subsidiary legislation will legally take effect.
The notice explains that the Law Revision Commissioners have published, in loose-leaf form, the 2005 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under specified Acts. The key legal function of the notice is not to create new substantive regulatory rules. Instead, it sets the date on which the revised edition becomes the operative legal text for purposes of law revision and consolidation.
For practitioners, the practical effect is significant: once the appointed date arrives, the revised edition is treated as the authoritative compilation incorporating amendments up to a specified cut-off date (here, up to 28 February 2005). This helps ensure that lawyers, courts, and agencies rely on a single, updated version of subsidiary legislation rather than piecing together amendments from multiple sources.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory basis: section 17(5) of Cap. 275
The notice is made “under section 17(5)” of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. That provision empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of subsidiary legislation in loose-leaf form, and then to have a commencement date appointed for when that revised edition comes into force. The notice therefore operates as the commencement mechanism for the revised compilation.
2. Publication of the 2005 Revised Edition in loose-leaf form
The notice’s “Whereas” clause states that the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the 2005 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule. It also states that the revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 28 February 2005. This is important because it defines the temporal scope of what the revised edition contains: it is not merely a reprint; it is a consolidated version reflecting amendments up to the cut-off date.
3. Appointment of the commencement date
The operative part of the notice is the statement that it is “hereby notified for general information” that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 31 March 2005 as the date the 2005 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force. In effect, the notice tells readers when the revised compilation becomes legally effective as the current version for reference and application.
4. Formalities and authentication
The notice is dated “this 28th day of February 2005” and signed by CHAN SEK KEONG, Chairman, Law Revision Commission. It also includes an internal reference: [AG/RSL/1/2005]. While these elements do not change the legal substance, they are relevant for document integrity and for practitioners verifying the provenance of the instrument.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is concise. It is presented as a notice with an Enacting Formula and a single substantive section set out in THE SCHEDULE. The schedule contains the full text of the notice, including the “Whereas” clauses and the “Now, therefore” operative statement.
There are no “Parts” or detailed “sections” within the notice itself beyond the statutory reference to section 17(5) of Cap. 275. The document is therefore best understood as an administrative legal instrument that triggers the commencement of a revised edition of subsidiary legislation.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The notice applies generally to the public and to all persons who must consult or rely on subsidiary legislation in Singapore. Although it is not directed at a specific class of regulated entities (such as employers, licensees, or consumers), it affects how the law is accessed and applied by making the revised edition the operative compilation from the appointed date.
In practice, the notice is most relevant to legal practitioners, government agencies, courts, and compliance teams that need to ensure they are using the correct version of subsidiary legislation. It also matters to researchers and publishers who compile legal materials, because the commencement date determines when the revised edition should be treated as current.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though this notice does not create new regulatory duties, it is important because it governs the authoritative legal text of subsidiary legislation. In legal practice, the difference between an outdated and a current consolidated version can affect case strategy, statutory interpretation, compliance advice, and litigation outcomes. By appointing a commencement date for the 2005 revised edition, the Law Revision Commissioners ensure that the legal community can rely on a consolidated text reflecting amendments up to the stated cut-off date.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the notice supports legal certainty. Agencies and regulated parties often need to know what the law “is” at a particular time. Revised editions help reduce ambiguity by incorporating amendments into a single publication. While the substantive content of the subsidiary legislation is determined by the underlying regulations and amendments, the notice ensures that the revised edition becomes the current reference point from 31 March 2005.
For practitioners, this instrument also illustrates a broader procedural point: Singapore’s law revision framework uses statutory notices to manage the transition from loose-leaf publication to an operative revised edition. When advising clients or preparing submissions, lawyers should pay attention to such notices to confirm which version of subsidiary legislation is applicable at the relevant date.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) — in particular section 17(5)
- Subsidiary Legislation included in the “2005 Revised Edition” (made under the Acts set out in the Schedule to the revised edition publication)
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.