Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-N12
- Legislative Instrument Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL) notice
- Enacting / Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), section 17(5)
- Instrument Reference: G.N. No. S 85/1998
- Commencement (as stated): 1 March 1998
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Revised Edition Mentioned: 1998 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation
- Incorporated Amendments: Amendments up to 15 February 1998
- Revised Edition Publication Date: 31 January 2000 (2000 RevEd)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a formal commencement notice issued under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain terms, it tells the public when a particular revised edition of Singapore’s subsidiary legislation becomes legally effective.
Singapore periodically consolidates and republishes legislation in revised editions to ensure that the text available to practitioners and the public reflects amendments made over time. This notice relates specifically to the 1998 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation—a compilation of subsidiary legislation made under various Acts listed in the Schedule of the Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation.
The notice does not create new substantive regulatory rules. Instead, it performs an administrative but legally significant function: it appoints a date on which the revised compilation is treated as the operative version for legal purposes.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The enacting formula makes clear that the notice is issued “pursuant to section 17(5)” of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. Section 17(5) is the statutory gateway that allows the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of subsidiary legislation in a consolidated form (here, “in loose-leaf form”) and then to specify when that revised edition comes into force.
For lawyers, the practical takeaway is that the legal effect of the revised edition is not automatic upon publication. The notice is the mechanism that confirms the commencement date for the revised compilation.
2. Publication of the 1998 Revised Edition and incorporation of amendments
The notice states that, pursuant to section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the 1998 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule. It also specifies that the revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 15 February 1998.
This is important in practice because it addresses a common legal question: which version of subsidiary legislation should be relied upon when advising clients or preparing submissions? By identifying the cut-off date for incorporated amendments, the notice helps determine whether later amendments (after 15 February 1998) would be reflected in the revised edition or would need to be consulted separately.
3. Appointment of the commencement date: 1 March 1998
The operative statement is that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 1 March 1998 as the date the 1998 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force.
From a legal standpoint, this means that after 1 March 1998, the revised edition is the authoritative consolidated text for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule. Where the revised edition includes amendments up to the specified date, practitioners can rely on the consolidated text without having to manually reconcile each amendment—subject always to checking for amendments made after the cut-off date.
4. “For general information” and the role of the Schedule
The notice is framed as being “hereby notified for general information.” While this phrasing may appear ceremonial, it signals that the notice is intended to inform the public and legal community of the legal commencement of the revised compilation.
The reference to “Acts set out in the Schedule” indicates that the revised edition covers subsidiary legislation made under those Acts. Although the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents, the legal effect is that the revised edition is not limited to a single regulation; it is a broad compilation across multiple enabling Acts.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is a notice rather than a substantive regulatory code. The key elements visible in the extract are:
(a) Enacting formula — identifies the statutory authority (section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act) and the context (publication of the revised edition in loose-leaf form).
(b) The Schedule — referenced as containing the Acts under which the subsidiary legislation covered by the revised edition was made. In many revised-edition notices, the Schedule is central to determining the scope of what is included.
(c) Legislative history / versions — the instrument is shown as “Current version as at 27 Mar 2026,” with a timeline indicating earlier publication and revision (e.g., SL 85/1998 and the 2000 Revised Edition).
(d) Administrative metadata — the platform interface indicates printing options and version control, including “Hide Amendment Annotation” and “Timeline,” which are relevant for ensuring that practitioners consult the correct version.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the notice is addressed to the public generally, its legal effect is primarily felt by those who must identify and apply the correct text of subsidiary legislation—namely lawyers, courts, tribunals, regulators, and regulated entities.
In terms of “who it applies to,” the notice does not impose obligations on a particular class of persons (unlike most regulatory subsidiary legislation). Instead, it determines the effective date of a consolidated legal text. Accordingly, it affects anyone who relies on subsidiary legislation covered by the 1998 Revised Edition, because the revised edition becomes the operative reference point from 1 March 1998.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though this notice is not a substantive law-making instrument, it is legally significant because it governs textual authority. In legal practice, the correct version of legislation can determine outcomes—particularly where amendments have been made and where the timing of amendments matters.
By appointing a commencement date for the revised edition, the notice reduces ambiguity about which consolidated text should be used after that date. This is especially important in litigation and compliance work, where parties may argue over whether a particular regulatory requirement was in force in a given period, or whether a later amendment should be applied.
For practitioners, the notice also provides a practical research cue: the revised edition incorporates amendments up to 15 February 1998. Therefore, when advising on matters that arose after 15 February 1998 but before 1 March 1998, or after 1 March 1998, lawyers should verify whether any amendments occurred after the cut-off date and whether those amendments are reflected in the revised edition or in subsequent amending instruments.
Finally, the instrument illustrates the broader legislative infrastructure in Singapore: the Law Revision Commissioners’ role in producing revised editions, and the statutory requirement for a formal commencement notice under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. Understanding this mechanism helps lawyers interpret the legal status of consolidated texts and navigate version control when using official legislative databases.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) — in particular section 17(5)
- Subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule to the 1998 Revised Edition (not reproduced in the extract)
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act — provisions governing publication and commencement of revised editions (for broader context)
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.