Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Full Title: Notice under Section 17(5) (Law Revision Commissioners)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S646-2006
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Authorising Provision: Section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Enacting Formula / Instrument: Notice published for general information
- Instrument Date: Dated 13 November 2006
- Commencement Date (as stated in the notice): 30 November 2006
- Subsidiary Legislation Number: S 646/2006
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Schedule: THE SCHEDULE (as reflected in the publication format)
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 public—and legal practitioners in particular—that the 2006 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation (prepared by the Law Revision Commissioners) will come into force on a specified date.
The notice is not a substantive law that creates new regulatory obligations. Instead, it is an administrative/legal publication mechanism. Its function is to confirm the effective date of a consolidated revised edition of subsidiary legislation—an edition that incorporates amendments up to a cut-off date (here, up to 1 November 2006, as stated in the enacting recital).
For practitioners, the practical significance is that the revised edition becomes the authoritative reference point for subsidiary legislation in force from the commencement date. This affects how lawyers cite provisions, how courts and tribunals interpret the current text, and how compliance teams ensure they are working from the correct legal version.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The legal basis: section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The notice begins with a “whereas” statement explaining that, under section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners have caused the 2006 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation to be published in loose-leaf form, incorporating amendments up to 1 November 2006. This establishes that the revised edition is a curated compilation, not merely a reprint.
2. The operative announcement: appointment of the commencement date. The core operative sentence provides that 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. This is the principal legal effect: it fixes when the revised compilation becomes effective.
3. General information for the public and the legal community. The notice is framed as a public notification. While it does not impose duties on regulated persons in the way a regulatory statute would, it has a direct impact on legal certainty. Lawyers rely on the correct version of subsidiary legislation when advising clients, drafting pleadings, preparing compliance documentation, and conducting statutory interpretation.
4. Formalities and authentication. The notice is dated 13 November 2006 and signed by CHAO HICK TIN, Chairman, Law Revision Commission. It also includes a reference code [AG/RSL/1/2006]. These elements are typical of official notices and support the instrument’s authenticity and traceability within the legislative publication system.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is short and publication-oriented. It follows the standard legislative notice format used in Singapore’s subsidiary legislation system:
(a) Heading and status: The document is presented as “Notice under Section 17(5)” with a status indicator showing it is a current version as at 27 March 2026. This indicates that the notice remains part of the current legislative database, even though its substantive effect relates to the 2006 revised edition’s commencement.
(b) Enacting formula and schedule: The document includes an enacting formula and references “THE SCHEDULE”. In practice, for a notice of this kind, the “schedule” element is largely a formatting feature rather than a substantive list of provisions.
(c) Operative text: The operative portion is a single, clear announcement: the appointment of 30 November 2006 as the commencement date for the 2006 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation.
(d) Timeline and versions: The publication interface includes a timeline and version history. The extract shows the instrument as SL 646/2006 and also indicates “No. S 646” in the revised edition context. For practitioners, the key is to confirm the correct version when citing or relying on the instrument.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Strictly speaking, the notice applies to the legal system’s publication and citation framework rather than to a class of regulated persons. Its effect is to determine when the 2006 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation comes into force. As such, it is relevant to:
(i) Legal practitioners (lawyers, advocates, and litigation counsel) who must cite the correct version of subsidiary legislation; and (ii) courts and tribunals that rely on authoritative legislative texts; and (iii) government agencies and compliance teams that need to ensure their internal policies and guidance reflect the legally effective text.
Although the notice is “for general information,” it does not directly regulate conduct by itself. Instead, it indirectly affects regulated parties by ensuring that the consolidated subsidiary legislation they must comply with is the version that is legally effective from the appointed date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though this notice is brief, it plays an important role in maintaining legal certainty and accessibility of Singapore’s legislative materials. Singapore’s subsidiary legislation is extensive and frequently amended. The Law Revision Commissioners’ revised editions provide a consolidated, updated text that incorporates amendments up to a specified cut-off date.
By appointing a commencement date, the notice ensures there is no ambiguity about when the revised compilation becomes the operative reference. This matters in practice because lawyers may encounter disputes about which version of a provision applies at a given time, particularly where amendments have been made and transitional issues arise. A clear commencement date for the revised edition helps reduce citation errors and supports consistent interpretation.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the notice supports administrative efficiency. Agencies and regulated entities often rely on consolidated legislative texts to draft regulations, internal procedures, and compliance checklists. When the revised edition comes into force, stakeholders can align their documentation with the updated consolidated form.
Finally, the notice illustrates an important feature of Singapore’s legislative publication system: the law is not only made through substantive enactments, but also through structured processes for revision, consolidation, and official publication. For practitioners, understanding these mechanisms is essential when dealing with legislative history, version control, and authoritative citations.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular, section 17(5) (the authorising provision for this notice)
- Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule — the body of legislation consolidated into the 2006 Revised Edition (as referenced 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.