Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S131-2009
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL) notice
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Authority: Section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Instrument Date / Enactment: Dated 23 March 2009
- Commencement (as stated in the notice): 31 March 2009
- Legislative Instrument Number: No. S 131
- Schedule: THE SCHEDULE (as part of the notice’s enacting formula)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a formal legal 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 completed the publication of a particular “revised edition” of subsidiary legislation and that a specific date has been appointed for it to come into force.
The notice is not a substantive regulatory measure that creates new rights or obligations for the public. Instead, it is part of Singapore’s legislative maintenance framework: it ensures that practitioners and the public can rely on an updated consolidated version of subsidiary legislation that incorporates amendments up to a specified cut-off date.
Specifically, the notice states that the Law Revision Commissioners caused to be published in loose-leaf form the 2009 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule, incorporating amendments up to 1 March 2009. The notice then appoints 31 March 2009 as the date when that 2009 Revised Edition shall come into force.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory “Whereas” statement (context and authority). The notice begins with an enacting formula that explains the legal basis and the factual background. It records that, under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners have caused the relevant revised edition of subsidiary legislation to be published in loose-leaf form. It also specifies the scope of what has been incorporated: subsidiary legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule, with amendments incorporated up to 1 March 2009.
2. The operative clause (the appointed commencement date). The core operative statement is that it is “hereby notified for general information” that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 31 March 2009 as the date the 2009 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force. This is the practical legal effect: it fixes the date from which the revised edition is treated as the authoritative version for the purposes of reference and application.
3. Formalisation and identification of the issuing authority. The notice is dated 23 March 2009 and signed by WALTER WOON, Chairman of the Law Revision Commission. The inclusion of an administrative reference (e.g., [AG/RSL/1/2009]) supports traceability within government records.
4. Relationship to the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. Although the extract does not reproduce section 17(5) itself, the notice makes clear that its authority derives from that provision. For practitioners, this matters because it signals that the notice is part of a statutory process for producing revised editions—meaning that the revised edition is not merely an editorial compilation, but one produced under a legislated mechanism with a formal commencement date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is concise and follows the typical format of a statutory notice. It contains:
(a) An enacting formula (the “Whereas” clauses) setting out the legal basis and the factual background of publication in loose-leaf form.
(b) THE SCHEDULE referenced in the enacting formula. While the extract does not list the Acts in the Schedule, the Schedule is crucial because it identifies the legislative “universe” of subsidiary legislation that is being revised and consolidated for the 2009 Revised Edition.
(c) The operative notification appointing 31 March 2009 as the commencement date for the revised edition.
(d) Signature and dating by the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission.
In other words, the “structure” is less about substantive sections and more about the administrative-legislative mechanism by which revised editions are brought into force.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
On its face, the notice applies to the legal system and legal users—courts, government agencies, practitioners, and the public—by determining when the 2009 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation becomes the operative revised compilation. It does not target a particular class of persons (such as employers, licensees, or regulated entities). Instead, it governs the availability and authoritative status of the revised subsidiary legislation.
Practically, it affects anyone who must interpret or apply subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. For example, a lawyer advising on regulatory compliance will rely on the revised edition to ensure that the text being cited reflects amendments up to the relevant cut-off date and is treated as in force from the appointed commencement date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although this notice is not a “regulatory” statute, it is important for legal certainty and citation accuracy. Singapore’s legislative framework relies on subsidiary legislation (regulations, orders, rules, and other instruments) that can be amended over time. Revised editions are intended to provide a consolidated, up-to-date text. This notice is the formal step that tells users when that consolidated text becomes authoritative.
For practitioners, the key significance is that the notice helps avoid disputes about which version of subsidiary legislation applies. When advising clients, drafting pleadings, preparing submissions, or conducting compliance reviews, lawyers must cite the correct legal text. A revised edition that incorporates amendments up to 1 March 2009 and comes into force on 31 March 2009 provides a clear reference point for the legal landscape at that time.
Additionally, the notice demonstrates the operation of the Law Revision Commission and the statutory process under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. This matters in litigation and regulatory practice because it supports the reliability of the revised text as a legally produced compilation rather than an unofficial consolidation. In practice, courts and agencies typically treat the revised edition as the authoritative source for the relevant period, subject to any later amendments.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5)
- Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule to this notice (listed in the Schedule within the instrument)
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.