Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S73-2004
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Enacting Formula / Instrument: Notice issued under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Legal Mechanism: Appointment of a commencement date for a revised loose-leaf edition of subsidiary legislation
- Instrument Date: Dated 18 February 2004
- Commencement Date (appointed): 29 February 2004
- Publication / Identifier: SL 73/2004
- Status (as provided): Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is not a substantive regulatory statute creating new duties or offences. Instead, it is an administrative “notice” issued under section 17(5) of Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). Its purpose is to fix the date when a particular revised edition of subsidiary legislation—published in loose-leaf form by the Law Revision Commissioners—comes into force.
In plain language, the Law Revision Commissioners periodically compile and publish updated versions of subsidiary legislation (regulations, orders, and other subsidiary instruments) made under various Acts. These compilations incorporate amendments up to a specified cut-off date. This notice then appoints a specific day on which the revised loose-leaf edition is treated as the operative legal text for general use.
The notice you provided states that the Commissioners have published the “2004 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation” made under the Acts set out in the Schedule, incorporating all amendments up to 31 January 2004. The notice then appoints 29 February 2004 as the date the 2004 Revised Edition comes into force.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The legal 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. The mechanism is designed to ensure that practitioners and the public can rely on a consolidated, updated version of the law rather than piecing together multiple amendments.
2. Incorporation of amendments up to a specified date. The notice expressly records that the 2004 Revised Edition incorporates “all amendments up to 31st January 2004.” This is crucial for legal certainty. It tells lawyers and courts that the revised edition reflects the law as amended through that cut-off date, subject to later amendments that may occur after 31 January 2004.
3. Appointment of the commencement date. The operative effect of the notice is the appointment of 29 February 2004 as the date the 2004 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation comes into force. In practice, this means that from that appointed date, the revised loose-leaf edition is treated as the authoritative compilation for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule.
4. Formalities and authentication. The notice includes standard formal elements: it is “hereby notified for general information,” it is dated 18 February 2004, and it is signed by CHAN SEK KEONG, Chairman of the Law Revision Commission. It also includes a reference code (e.g., [AG/RSL/1/2004]), which helps track the administrative file and publication process.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is brief and follows the typical format of a legislative notice. The key components are:
(a) Title and status information. The document is labelled “Notice under Section 17(5)” and indicates that it is a current version as at 27 March 2026 (as per the platform display).
(b) Enacting formula. The enacting formula identifies the statutory authority (section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act) and sets up the “whereas/now, therefore” structure.
(c) The Schedule reference. The notice refers to “the Acts set out in the Schedule,” indicating that the revised edition covers subsidiary legislation made under those Acts. While the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents, the Schedule is legally significant because it defines the scope of subsidiary legislation included in the revised edition.
(d) The operative paragraph. The operative paragraph appoints the commencement date (29 February 2004) for the revised loose-leaf edition.
(e) Date and signature block. The notice is dated and signed by the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because this is a notice about the coming into force of a revised edition of subsidiary legislation, it applies indirectly to everyone who uses or is subject to the subsidiary legislation covered by the 2004 Revised Edition. That includes regulated persons, government agencies, regulated entities, and legal practitioners.
More specifically, the notice affects the legal text that is treated as authoritative for the subsidiary legislation compiled in that revised edition. It does not create new obligations by itself; rather, it determines when the consolidated version becomes operative. Practitioners should therefore treat the revised edition as the reference point for the state of subsidiary law as of the cut-off date (31 January 2004), subject to subsequent amendments after that date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the notice is short, it plays an important role in Singapore’s legislative infrastructure. The revised editions produced by the Law Revision Commissioners are designed to reduce confusion and litigation risk caused by outdated compilations or incomplete amendment histories. By appointing a commencement date, the notice ensures that the legal community can rely on a single consolidated source for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule.
For lawyers, the practical significance lies in citation and accuracy. When drafting pleadings, advising clients, or preparing submissions, counsel must ensure that the subsidiary legislation being relied upon is the correct version in force at the relevant time. A notice like this helps establish the date from which the revised edition is operative, which can matter in disputes about whether a particular regulatory provision was in effect in a given period.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the notice supports public accessibility and legal certainty. Regulated entities often need to know what the law requires. A revised edition that incorporates amendments up to a defined date, and comes into force on a defined day, provides a stable reference for compliance planning and internal legal review.
Finally, the notice illustrates a broader principle: Singapore’s legal system treats revised editions as authoritative compilations, but they are still subject to later amendments. Therefore, the notice should be read alongside the legislative timeline and subsequent amending instruments to confirm whether any changes occurred after 31 January 2004 and before the relevant event in a case.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5)
- Subsidiary legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule (as referenced by this notice) — to be identified from the Schedule in the full text of SL 73/2004
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.