Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S583-2004
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Enacting / Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), specifically section 17(5)
- Legislative Instrument No.: No. S 583
- Commencement / Effective date stated: 30 September 2004 (date appointed for the 2004 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation to come into force)
- Date of Notice: 16 September 2004
- Status (as provided): Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Schedule: The notice refers to subsidiary legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule (the extract does not reproduce the Schedule contents)
- Key Provision (in substance): Appointment of a commencement date for a revised loose-leaf edition of subsidiary legislation
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 terms, it tells the public that the Law Revision Commissioners have prepared a revised edition of subsidiary legislation (for the year 2004) and that a specific date has been appointed for that revised edition to come into force.
The notice is not a substantive regulatory statute that creates new offences, licensing regimes, or policy rules. Instead, it is part of Singapore’s legal infrastructure for maintaining the law in an up-to-date, consolidated form. The key legal effect is procedural and editorial: it determines when the revised compilation of subsidiary legislation becomes the operative reference point.
As reflected in the “Whereas” clause, the Law Revision Commissioners published the 2004 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation in loose-leaf form, incorporating amendments up to 31 August 2004. The notice then appoints 30 September 2004 as the date when that revised edition is to take effect.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The notice is expressly grounded on section 17(5). That provision empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of laws (including subsidiary legislation) in a loose-leaf format. The legal significance is that the revised edition is treated as the authoritative compilation once it comes into force on the appointed date.
2. Publication of the 2004 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation
The “Whereas” statement explains the background: the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the 2004 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. Importantly, it states that the revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 31 August 2004. This is critical for practitioners because it signals that the text is intended to reflect the law as amended up to that cut-off date.
3. Appointment of the commencement date: 30 September 2004
The operative legal step is the appointment of 30 September 2004 as the date the revised edition “shall come into force.” In practice, this means that from that date, the revised edition becomes the legally effective reference compilation for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule. If there were discrepancies between earlier versions and the revised edition (for example, due to incorporation of amendments), the revised edition would be the correct starting point for legal interpretation and citation.
4. Formalities: date, signature, and notice for general information
The notice is dated 16 September 2004 and signed by CHAN SEK KEONG, Chairman of the Law Revision Commission. The instrument also states that it is “hereby notified for general information,” emphasising its public-facing function. For legal work, the signature and date confirm the instrument’s authenticity and the official character of the commencement appointment.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is concise and follows the standard format for notices under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The structure includes:
(a) Enacting formula (the formal legal framing that identifies the authority and basis for the notice);
(b) “Whereas” clauses that set out the factual/legal background—publication of the loose-leaf revised edition and the amendment cut-off date;
(c) the operative statement appointing the commencement date for the revised edition; and
(d) the “Schedule” reference indicating that the subsidiary legislation covered is “made under the Acts set out in the Schedule.” The extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents, but the Schedule is central to determining the scope of what is revised and brought into force on the appointed date.
Because the notice is short, it does not contain “Parts” or detailed “sections” beyond the reference to section 17(5). Its practical operation is therefore tied to the Revised Edition of the Laws Act framework and the Schedule’s scope.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the notice is directed “for general information,” its legal effect applies to any person who must identify, cite, or rely on the text of subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. This includes regulated entities, legal practitioners, government agencies, courts, and tribunals.
In terms of “who is bound,” the notice does not create obligations by itself. Rather, it determines when the revised compilation becomes the operative version for the relevant subsidiary legislation. Accordingly, practitioners should treat the revised edition as the authoritative text from the commencement date (30 September 2004) for the instruments covered by the Schedule.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
For lawyers, the importance of this notice lies in citation accuracy and legal certainty. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate consolidation of amendments. When a revised edition comes into force, it can affect how provisions are numbered, how amendments are reflected in the text, and how practitioners should reference the law in pleadings, submissions, compliance advice, and regulatory correspondence.
Even though the notice is not substantive, it can have real downstream consequences. For example, if a practitioner cites an earlier version of a subsidiary instrument that has been amended and incorporated into the revised edition, the citation may be challenged for accuracy. Courts and tribunals generally expect references to the current and authoritative text. A notice like this helps establish what “current” means at a particular time.
Additionally, the notice provides a clear amendment cut-off—incorporation of amendments up to 31 August 2004. That cut-off is a practical tool. If an amendment occurred after 31 August 2004 but before 30 September 2004 (or after the revised edition’s cut-off), practitioners must verify whether it is included in the revised edition or whether it exists in separate amending instruments. The notice therefore assists in resolving version-control questions.
Finally, the notice demonstrates the role of the Law Revision Commission in maintaining the legal corpus. While the instrument itself is procedural, it supports the broader rule-of-law objective: ensuring that the law is accessible, consolidated, and reliably updated.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5) (the authorising provision for this 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.