Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Full Title: Notice under Section 17(5) (Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), Section 17(5))
- Act Code: RELA1983-N22
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL) notice
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), Section 17(5)
- Legislative History (key dates):
- 30 Apr 2000: G.N. No. S 212/2000 (SL 212/2000)
- 31 Jan 2002: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (2002 RevEd) — current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Commencement: 30 April 2000 (appointed as the date the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation comes into force)
- Key Sections: Section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Parts: Not applicable (notice)
- Schedule: “THE SCHEDULE” (as indicated in the document interface; the notice refers to subsidiary legislation made under Acts set out in the Schedule)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a Gazette notice issued under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In practical terms, it does not create new substantive legal rights or obligations. Instead, it performs an administrative but legally significant function: it appoints a commencement date for a revised edition of subsidiary legislation published in loose-leaf form.
The notice states that the Law Revision Commissioners have published (in loose-leaf form) the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule, incorporating amendments up to 1 April 2000. The notice then “notifies for general information” that 30 April 2000 is the date appointed for that revised edition to come into force.
For lawyers, this kind of notice matters because it affects which version of subsidiary legislation is legally operative at a given time. When advising clients, litigating, or drafting compliance documentation, practitioners must ensure they rely on the correct consolidated text and amendment status. Even where the notice itself is short, it anchors the legal effect of the revised compilation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority under 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 revised editions of subsidiary legislation (typically in a consolidated form) and provides a mechanism for those revised editions to be brought into force by a notice. The legal significance is that the revised compilation becomes the operative reference point for the subsidiary legislation covered.
2. Publication of the “2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation”
The notice “whereas” clause explains the background: the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the 2000 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. The revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 1 April 2000. This is crucial for practitioners because it indicates the cut-off date for amendments included in the revised text.
3. Appointment of the commencement date: 30 April 2000
The operative effect of the notice is contained in the concluding paragraph: it is notified for general information that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 30 April 2000 as the date the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force.
In other words, from 30 April 2000, the revised edition becomes the legally authoritative compilation for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule. This does not necessarily mean that the underlying regulations “change” in content on that date; rather, it means that the revised edition is the version that is treated as in force and usable as the consolidated legal text.
4. “For general information” and the role of the Gazette
The notice is framed as a public notification. Gazette notices serve as official records that inform the legal community and the public of changes to the status or commencement of legal instruments. Here, the notice ensures that practitioners can identify the correct commencement date for the revised edition and therefore determine which consolidated text to consult for legal advice and compliance.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Although the instrument is short, its structure follows the typical pattern of Singapore legislative notices:
(a) Title and heading: “Notice under Section 17(5)”.
(b) Enacting formula: The notice includes an enacting formula referencing the statutory authority under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act.
(c) “THE SCHEDULE”: The interface indicates a schedule section. In revised-edition notices, the Schedule generally identifies the Acts under which the subsidiary legislation is made, and therefore the scope of what is included in the revised edition.
(d) Legislative history: The portal provides a timeline showing the Gazette publication date (30 April 2000; SL 212/2000) and the later incorporation into the Revised Edition (31 January 2002; 2002 RevEd). This helps users confirm they are viewing the correct version.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the key “structure” is not a set of detailed substantive provisions, but rather the legal mechanism: (1) revised edition is published; (2) a commencement date is appointed; (3) the notice brings that revised compilation into force.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This notice applies to the legal community and the public in the sense that it affects what text of subsidiary legislation is treated as in force. It does not target a particular class of persons (such as employers, licensees, or regulated entities). Instead, it affects the availability and authoritative status of the consolidated subsidiary legislation compilation.
However, the practical impact is felt by anyone who must interpret or comply with the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule—such as regulated businesses, government agencies, legal practitioners, and courts. For those users, the notice is relevant because it determines the effective date of the revised edition and therefore the correct version to consult for legal analysis.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the notice is not “substantive law” in the usual sense, it is important because it governs legal referencing and version control—a core issue in legal practice. Singapore’s legislative framework includes many subsidiary instruments (regulations, rules, and orders). Over time, amendments accumulate. Revised editions are produced to consolidate amendments into a coherent text. The notice ensures that the consolidated text is not merely published, but is legally effective from a specified date.
1. Ensuring correct legal text for advice and compliance
When advising clients, lawyers must confirm the exact legal position at the relevant time. If a client’s conduct occurred before or after 30 April 2000, the practitioner must determine whether the operative text is the pre-revision version or the revised edition. Even if the substantive rules are unchanged, the consolidated text may incorporate amendments and editorial changes that affect interpretation, cross-references, and numbering.
2. Litigation and evidential reliability
In disputes, the authoritative text of regulations and subsidiary legislation is essential. Courts rely on the official legislative versions. A revised edition notice helps establish which compilation is the correct one to cite. This reduces risk of citing an outdated or superseded version.
3. Administrative clarity and legal certainty
By appointing a commencement date, the notice provides legal certainty. Without such a notice, there could be ambiguity about when the revised compilation becomes the operative reference. The Gazette publication and the explicit commencement date help practitioners confidently locate the correct legal framework.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5) (the authorising provision for this notice)
- Subsidiary legislation included in the “2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation” — as identified in the Schedule to the notice (not reproduced in the extract provided)
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.