Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S520-2007
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL) notice
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Provision (Authorisation): Section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Enacting Formula: “Whereas… Now, therefore, it is hereby notified…”
- Publication/SL Number: No. S 520
- SL Identifier: SL 520/2007
- Date of Notice: 13 September 2007
- Commencement Date (as stated): 1 October 2007
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Schedule: THE SCHEDULE (as reflected in the document interface)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a formal notice issued under section 17(5) of Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). In plain language, it tells the public—and legal practitioners—that a particular “revised edition” of subsidiary legislation has been prepared and that a specific date has been appointed for it to come into force.
The notice refers to the “2007 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation” made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. The Law Revision Commissioners had caused that revised edition to be published in loose-leaf form, incorporating amendments up to 1 September 2007. The notice then appoints 1 October 2007 as the date when that revised edition is to take effect.
Although the notice is short, it is legally significant because it affects the effective legal text that lawyers and courts rely on. In practice, revised editions are used to consolidate amendments and present an authoritative version of subsidiary legislation. The notice therefore functions as a “switch-over” date: after that date, the revised edition is the operative consolidated reference point.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Statutory authority under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The notice is expressly grounded in section 17(5). That provision empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of subsidiary legislation in a loose-leaf format and to appoint a commencement date for when the revised edition comes into force. The notice is the mechanism by which that appointment is made.
2. Confirmation of publication and incorporation of amendments
The notice states that, under section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners have caused to be published in loose-leaf form the 2007 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule. It further specifies that the revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 1 September 2007. This is crucial for legal accuracy: it signals that the consolidated text reflects the amendment position as at that cut-off date.
3. Appointment of the commencement date
The operative part of the notice provides that it is “hereby notified for general information” that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 1 October 2007 as the date the 2007 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force. This is the central legal effect of the instrument: it establishes the date from which the revised edition is treated as the authoritative consolidated version.
4. Formalities: dating and signature
The notice is dated 13 September 2007 and signed by CHAO HICK TIN, Chairman, Law Revision Commission. The enacting formula and signature provide the formal legal imprimatur required for notices of this type. For practitioners, this matters because it confirms that the notice is not merely administrative but issued in the manner contemplated by the authorising statute.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short notice with an enacting formula and a schedule reference. In the version interface, the document shows:
(a) A title and status (“Notice under Section 17(5)”, current version as at 27 March 2026).
(b) An enacting formula that recites the legal basis (section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act) and the factual premise (publication of the 2007 revised edition in loose-leaf form incorporating amendments up to 1 September 2007).
(c) The operative notification appointing 1 October 2007 as the commencement date for the revised edition.
(d) A schedule reference (“THE SCHEDULE”), which indicates that the subsidiary legislation covered is that made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. While the extract provided does not list the Acts, the schedule is the legal boundary for what is included in the revised edition.
In terms of legal drafting style, this notice is typical of “commencement” or “effective date” instruments issued under consolidation/revision regimes. It does not itself amend substantive regulatory rules; instead, it controls the temporal validity of the consolidated revised edition.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The notice applies to the legal system and the public in the sense that it determines the authoritative reference text for subsidiary legislation within its scope. It is not directed at a particular class of regulated persons (such as employers, licensees, or consumers). Rather, it affects how subsidiary legislation is to be cited and relied upon from the appointed date.
Practically, it applies to:
- Lawyers and law firms who must ensure they are using the correct consolidated version when advising clients or drafting submissions;
- Courts and tribunals that rely on the operative subsidiary legislation text;
- Government agencies that administer subsidiary legislation and may need to align enforcement practice with the revised edition; and
- Members of the public who may consult the revised edition for general information.
The scope is limited to subsidiary legislation “made under the Acts set out in the Schedule.” Therefore, the schedule determines which bodies of subsidiary legislation are included in the 2007 revised edition. The notice itself does not expand or contract substantive regulatory obligations; it determines the effective date of the consolidated compilation.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though this notice is brief, it plays an important role in legal certainty. Singapore’s legislative framework includes many layers of subsidiary legislation. Amendments occur over time, and without consolidation mechanisms, practitioners would face difficulties in identifying the current operative text. Revised editions address this by incorporating amendments up to a specified cut-off date and presenting a consolidated version.
This notice is therefore important because it provides the commencement date for the revised edition. From 1 October 2007, the 2007 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation becomes the effective consolidated reference point. That affects citation practice and can influence legal arguments where the precise wording of subsidiary provisions matters (for example, where amendments alter definitions, procedural requirements, penalties, or regulatory thresholds).
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the notice reduces ambiguity. Regulators and regulated entities can align their compliance documentation, internal policies, and operational procedures with the consolidated text. While the substantive rules were already made through earlier subsidiary instruments and amendments, the revised edition provides a clearer and more reliable “single source” for the current legal position as at the cut-off date.
Finally, the notice illustrates the administrative architecture of Singapore’s law revision process. It confirms that the Law Revision Commissioners have the statutory mandate to publish revised editions and to appoint their effective dates. For practitioners, understanding this process is useful when dealing with questions about which version of subsidiary legislation is applicable at a given time.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5) (the authorising provision for this notice)
- Subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule to this notice (the specific Acts are not reproduced in the extract provided)
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.