Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S491-2002
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Legislative Instrument No.: S 491
- Revised Edition / Instrument: Notice relating to the “2002 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation”
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), specifically section 17(5)
- Key Legal Effect: Appoints a commencement date for the 2002 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Date of Instrument: Dated 16 September 2002
- Commencement Date (appointed by notice): 30 September 2002
- Schedule: The notice refers to subsidiary legislation “made under the Acts set out in the Schedule” (the Schedule is part of the instrument, though not reproduced in the extract provided)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a procedural notice issued under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain terms, it tells the public and legal practitioners when a particular revised compilation of subsidiary legislation becomes effective.
The notice states that the Law Revision Commissioners have published, in loose-leaf form, the 2002 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under specified Acts. The key step is that the Commissioners have appointed 30 September 2002 as the date when that revised edition comes into force.
Although the notice does not itself amend substantive regulatory rules, it is legally significant because it affects how practitioners locate, cite, and rely on subsidiary legislation. Revised editions typically incorporate amendments up to a cut-off date (here, up to 31 August 2002), meaning that after the appointed date, the revised compilation becomes the authoritative reference point for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule.
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) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. That provision empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish a revised edition of subsidiary legislation in loose-leaf form, and then to appoint a date for it to come into force. The notice therefore functions as the formal “trigger” that converts the revised compilation from a published draft/loose-leaf format into an operative legal reference.
2. Publication of the 2002 Revised Edition in loose-leaf form
The “Whereas” clause explains the background: the Commissioners have published the 2002 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule, incorporating amendments up to 31 August 2002. This is important for practitioners because it clarifies the temporal scope of the consolidation—i.e., what amendments are included in the revised edition.
3. Appointment of the commencement date: 30 September 2002
The operative effect is contained in the “Now, therefore” paragraph. It states that it is notified for general information that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 30 September 2002 as the date the 2002 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force. In practice, this means that from that date, the revised edition is treated as the legally effective consolidated version for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule.
4. Formalities: date of signing and authority
The notice is dated 16 September 2002 and signed by CHAN SEK KEONG, Chairman, Law Revision Commission. The inclusion of the signature and date is not merely ceremonial; it evidences that the notice is a valid instrument issued by the authorised body under the enabling Act.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short notice with a conventional legislative form: an enacting formula, a recital-based “Whereas” section, an operative “Now, therefore” clause, and a concluding signature block. The extract indicates that the instrument includes THE SCHEDULE, which identifies the Acts under which the subsidiary legislation is made and therefore which subsidiary legislation is included in the revised edition.
In terms of legal reading, the document is best approached as a date-commencement instrument rather than a substantive regulatory statute. There are no detailed provisions setting out obligations, offences, licensing requirements, or enforcement mechanisms in the extract. Instead, the legal work for practitioners is to understand what compilation is being brought into force and from when.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because this is a notice under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, it applies broadly to anyone who uses, cites, or relies on subsidiary legislation in the legal system—practitioners, courts, government agencies, and regulated persons affected by subsidiary legal instruments.
However, its direct “subject matter” is not a class of persons (such as employers, licensees, or consumers). Rather, its scope is determined by the Acts set out in the Schedule. Those Acts define which subsidiary legislation is included in the 2002 Revised Edition. Accordingly, the practical applicability is: if a particular subsidiary regulation falls within the Schedule’s coverage, then the revised edition’s coming-into-force date is relevant for how that regulation is to be referenced and applied.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though this notice is brief, it plays an important role in ensuring legal certainty and accessibility. Revised editions are designed to consolidate amendments into a coherent text. By appointing a specific commencement date, the Law Revision Commissioners provide a clear point at which the revised compilation becomes the authoritative reference.
For practitioners, the notice has practical consequences in several areas. First, it affects citation and referencing. When advising clients or drafting pleadings, lawyers must ensure they refer to the correct version of subsidiary legislation. A revised edition coming into force on 30 September 2002 means that, for matters after that date, the consolidated text should be used as the starting point—subject always to later amendments.
Second, the notice affects interpretation and research. Consolidated texts reduce the risk of missing amendments or relying on outdated provisions. The notice also clarifies the cut-off date for incorporated amendments (up to 31 August 2002), which helps lawyers determine whether a later amendment might still be required to be checked.
Third, the notice supports administrative and judicial efficiency. Courts and tribunals benefit from having a stable, consolidated version of subsidiary legislation. Agencies enforcing regulatory regimes also rely on accurate legal texts. By bringing the revised edition into force, the notice helps align legal practice with the updated consolidated framework.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5) (the enabling provision for this notice)
- Subsidiary Legislation covered by the Schedule — the Acts listed in the Schedule determine which subsidiary instruments are incorporated into the 2002 Revised Edition
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.