Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S646-2006
- 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
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Primary Instrument Date: 13 November 2006
- SL Number: S 646/2006
- Commencement / Effective Date stated in the notice: 30 November 2006
- Schedule: THE SCHEDULE (instrument text indicates the schedule of Acts, though the extract provided focuses on the notice’s operative effect)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a formal notice issued under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). In plain terms, it tells the legal community that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed a specific date when a particular revised edition of subsidiary legislation will come into force.
The notice is not itself a substantive regulatory measure (such as imposing duties, prohibitions, or licensing requirements). Instead, it performs an administrative and legal-technical function: it confirms the effective date for the “2006 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation” that has been published in a loose-leaf format and that incorporates amendments up to a specified cut-off date.
For practitioners, the practical significance is that the notice affects which version of the subsidiary legislation is legally operative from the stated commencement date. This matters for litigation, compliance advice, and statutory interpretation—because the “current” text of subsidiary legislation may change when a revised edition comes into force.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory basis: 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 in loose-leaf form and to bring those revised editions into force by a date appointed for that purpose. The notice therefore functions as the mechanism for setting the commencement date of the revised compilation.
2. The “Whereas” recital: publication of the 2006 Revised Edition
The instrument states that, under section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners have caused to be published in loose-leaf form the 2006 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule. It also specifies that the revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 1 November 2006. This recital is important because it defines the content scope of the revised edition—i.e., what amendments are captured in the compilation.
3. The operative effect: appointment of the date the revised edition comes into force
The core operative statement is: it is “hereby notified for general information” that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 30 November 2006 as the date the 2006 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force. Practically, this means that from 30 November 2006, the revised edition becomes the authoritative consolidated text for the relevant subsidiary legislation (subject to any later amendments).
4. Formalities: date, signatory, and reference
The notice is dated 13 November 2006 and signed by CHAO HICK TIN, Chairman of the Law Revision Commission. It also includes a reference code [AG/RSL/1/2006]. These formalities are typical of legislative notices and help practitioners verify authenticity and the issuing authority.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Although the extract shows the heading “Notice under Section 17(5)” and indicates “THE SCHEDULE,” the instrument is essentially structured as a single notice with:
(a) an enacting formula (the formal preamble indicating the legal basis),
(b) a “Whereas” recital explaining what has been published and the amendment cut-off date, and
(c) an operative clause notifying the public of the appointed commencement date for the revised edition.
In the platform view, the instrument also includes interface elements such as “Timeline,” “Versions,” and “Print” options. These are not part of the legal text but reflect how the law database presents the instrument and its versions. The substantive legal content, in this extract, is concentrated in the notice itself.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This notice applies to the legal system and legal users—courts, practitioners, government agencies, and the public—by determining when a particular revised edition of subsidiary legislation becomes legally effective. It does not target a specific class of regulated persons (such as employers, licensees, or consumers). Instead, it affects how subsidiary legislation is accessed and relied upon as authoritative text.
Accordingly, the “audience” is broad: anyone who must interpret or apply subsidiary legislation should ensure they are using the correct version. For example, when advising on compliance, drafting pleadings, or preparing regulatory submissions, counsel must confirm whether the relevant subsidiary provisions are those in force at the relevant time—here, the revised edition coming into force on 30 November 2006.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. It determines the authoritative legal text for subsidiary legislation
In Singapore’s legislative framework, subsidiary legislation is made under enabling Acts and is frequently amended. Over time, maintaining an up-to-date consolidated text is essential for legal certainty. This notice plays a key role in that process by confirming the date when a revised compilation becomes effective. For practitioners, this reduces the risk of relying on outdated versions or missing amendments that have been incorporated into the revised edition.
2. It supports legal certainty and consistency in interpretation
When courts and tribunals interpret subsidiary legislation, they rely on the text that is in force at the relevant time. A revised edition coming into force can affect the presentation and numbering of provisions, and may incorporate amendments that change substantive meaning. Even where the underlying regulatory policy remains the same, the consolidated text is the practical reference point for argument and decision-making.
3. It has practical consequences for compliance and litigation strategy
From a litigation perspective, counsel may need to establish what the law was at a particular date. If a dispute concerns conduct occurring around late 2006, the commencement date of the revised edition (30 November 2006) can be relevant to whether the consolidated text reflects the amendments in question. From a compliance perspective, agencies and regulated entities must ensure that internal policies and training materials track the correct legal version.
4. It reflects the administrative architecture of law revision
This notice illustrates how Singapore manages the “revision” of subsidiary legislation through the Law Revision Commission. While the notice itself is brief, it is part of a larger institutional process that keeps the body of subsidiary legislation coherent and accessible. For practitioners, understanding this process helps when tracing legislative history and when explaining to clients why a particular consolidated text should be treated as authoritative.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5) (the enabling provision for this notice)
- Subsidiary legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule — the revised edition incorporates amendments up to 1 November 2006 (as stated in the notice)
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.