Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S44-2008
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL) notice
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Provision (as stated): Section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Instrument No.: No. S 44
- Publication/Enactment Date (as per notice): 9 January 2008
- Commencement Date (as per notice): 31 January 2008
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Schedule: THE SCHEDULE (contains the notice text)
What Is This Legislation About?
This “Notice under Section 17(5)” is a procedural instrument issued under Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). In plain language, it is not a substantive law that creates new rights or offences. Instead, it is a formal public notification by the Law Revision Commission about when a particular revised compilation of subsidiary legislation will take effect.
The notice states that the Law Revision Commissioners have caused to be published in loose-leaf form the “2008 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation” made under specified Acts (those listed in the Schedule of the authorising framework). The key legal effect of the notice is to appoint a specific date—31 January 2008—as the date on which that 2008 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation comes into force.
For practitioners, the practical importance lies in legal certainty and citation. Revised editions consolidate and incorporate amendments up to a specified cut-off date (here, up to 1 January 2008). Once the appointed commencement date arrives, lawyers and courts can rely on the revised text as the authoritative version for reference, drafting, and litigation—subject to later amendments.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Reliance on 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 notify the public of the date the revised edition comes into force. The notice therefore functions as the “trigger” for legal effectiveness of the revised compilation.
2. Publication of the 2008 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation. The notice recites that the Law Revision Commissioners have caused to be published in loose-leaf form the 2008 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule. The recitals are important: they identify the nature of the publication (loose-leaf revised edition) and the scope (subsidiary legislation made under the relevant Acts).
3. Incorporation of amendments up to 1 January 2008. The notice states that the revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 1 January 2008. This is a critical detail for legal research. It means that, as at the commencement date (31 January 2008), the revised edition should reflect the state of the law after amendments made up to the cut-off date, thereby reducing the need to piece together multiple amending instruments for that period.
4. Appointment of the commencement date: 31 January 2008. The operative effect is the appointment of 31 January 2008 as the date the 2008 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation comes into force. The notice is dated 9 January 2008, but the commencement date is later. This gap is typical for publication and administrative readiness: it gives time for distribution, updating of legal materials, and ensuring that practitioners can transition to the revised text.
5. Formal notification “for general information”. The notice uses the standard legal form “it is hereby notified for general information”. This indicates that the instrument is intended to be publicly accessible and to inform the legal community and the public of the effective date of the revised edition. The notice is signed by the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission—CHAO HICK TIN—underscoring its official character.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is brief and follows the typical format of a statutory notice. It contains:
(a) Enacting formula and recitals. The notice begins with a “Whereas” statement explaining the background: the Law Revision Commissioners have published the revised edition in loose-leaf form, incorporating amendments up to a specified date.
(b) The operative notification. It then states that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 31 January 2008 as the date the revised edition comes into force.
(c) Date and signature block. The notice is dated 9 January 2008 and signed by the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission.
(d) Schedule reference. The notice refers to the Acts set out in the Schedule (as part of the authorising framework). While the extract provided does not list those Acts, the legal concept is that the revised edition covers subsidiary legislation made under those Acts.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because this notice is about the commencement of a revised edition of subsidiary legislation, it applies broadly to anyone who uses or relies on subsidiary legislation in Singapore—particularly legal practitioners, government agencies, courts, and members of the public who need to understand the applicable regulatory rules.
More specifically, the notice affects legal research and legal citation. After 31 January 2008, the 2008 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation becomes the authoritative reference point for the consolidated text (again, subject to later amendments). Practitioners should therefore ensure that they are citing the correct version—especially when dealing with events occurring around the commencement date or when assessing whether a particular amendment was already incorporated.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the notice is short, it plays a significant role in maintaining the integrity and usability of Singapore’s legal system. Revised editions are designed to consolidate amendments into a coherent, updated text. Without such revision and formal commencement notifications, legal materials could become fragmented across multiple amending instruments, increasing the risk of error in interpretation and citation.
1. Legal certainty and authoritative text. By appointing a specific commencement date for the revised edition, the notice provides a clear point in time from which the revised compilation is effective. This is especially important when determining the applicable law for conduct occurring before and after the commencement date, or when assessing whether a regulatory requirement had already been amended.
2. Practical impact on drafting, litigation, and compliance. For lawyers, the revised edition affects how you draft submissions, prepare pleadings, advise clients, and conduct due diligence. For compliance teams, it affects the regulatory text they must follow. Using an outdated version can lead to incorrect advice or non-compliance. The notice helps mitigate that risk by establishing when the revised text should be treated as current.
3. Research efficiency and reduced citation complexity. Incorporation of amendments up to 1 January 2008 means that practitioners can often rely on the revised edition without having to manually track each amendment instrument. This improves efficiency and reduces the likelihood of missing a relevant amendment.
4. Version control and “current version” status. The instrument is shown as “Current version as at 27 March 2026”. This does not mean the notice itself is repeatedly amended; rather, it indicates that the legal database retains the instrument as part of the current consolidated legislative record. Practitioners should still consult the legislation timeline and version history to ensure they are using the correct revised edition and amendments relevant to the time period in question.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5), which provides the authority for notices appointing the commencement date of revised editions of subsidiary legislation.
- Subsidiary legislation instruments included within the “2008 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation” (as made under the Acts set out in the Schedule to the authorising framework).
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.