Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-N23
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL) notice
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), section 17(5)
- Legislative History (key dates):
- 31 Aug 2000: G.N. No. S 380/2000 (notice dated 31 Aug 2000)
- 31 Jan 2002: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (2002 RevEd) publication date
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Commencement Date (as stated in the notice): 31 Aug 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) (authorising provision referenced in the notice)
- Parts: Not applicable (notice)
- Related Legislation: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275); Subsidiary Legislation incorporated in the “2000 Revised Edition” as set out in the Schedule (not reproduced in the extract)
What Is This Legislation About?
This “Notice under Section 17(5)” is a procedural instrument issued under Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain terms, it is not a substantive regulatory law that creates new rights or obligations for the public. Instead, it serves to bring into force a consolidated “revised edition” of subsidiary legislation that has been published in a loose-leaf format.
The notice explains that the Law Revision Commissioners had published, in loose-leaf form, the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under specified Acts (listed in the Schedule). The notice then appoints a specific date—31 August 2000—as the date on which that revised edition is to come into force.
For practitioners, the practical significance is that revised editions affect how legislation is cited, accessed, and applied. Even where the underlying subsidiary legislation is not “new” in substance, a revised edition can incorporate amendments up to a cut-off date and provide an authoritative consolidated text for use in legal proceedings, compliance work, and legal research.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority under section 17(5) of Cap. 275. The notice is expressly grounded on 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 in a loose-leaf format, and it provides the mechanism for a formal notice to specify when the revised edition takes effect.
2. Publication of the 2000 Revised Edition in loose-leaf form. The enacting “Whereas” clause states that, under section 17(5), 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. The notice further indicates that this revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 5 August 2000. This is important because it clarifies the revision’s “currency” and the extent to which amendments are captured.
3. Appointment of the commencement date for the revised edition. The operative effect of the notice is contained in the “Now, therefore” clause: it states that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 31 August 2000 as the date the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force. In other words, the revised edition becomes the legally effective consolidated reference text from that date.
4. General information and legal certainty. The notice is framed as being “notified for general information.” While this language may appear administrative, it is legally relevant because it provides certainty as to when the revised edition is treated as effective. For lawyers, this reduces ambiguity about which version of subsidiary legislation should be relied upon for events occurring before and after the appointed date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The document is structured as a short notice rather than a multi-part statute. Based on the extract, it contains:
(a) A heading: “Notice under Section 17(5)”.
(b) Status and publication metadata: including “Current version as at 27 Mar 2026” and printing options.
(c) An enacting formula: indicating the legal basis for the notice.
(d) “THE SCHEDULE”: referenced in the enacting formula. The Schedule typically lists the Acts under which the subsidiary legislation is made and whose subsidiary legislation is included in the revised edition. Although the extract does not reproduce the Schedule contents, its existence is central to determining the scope of the revised edition.
(e) Legislative history and timeline: showing the original notice date (31 Aug 2000) and later incorporation into the Revised Edition (2002 RevEd). This helps users confirm they are viewing the correct version.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Strictly speaking, the notice applies to the legal system and legal users rather than to a defined class of regulated persons. It governs when a particular revised edition of subsidiary legislation becomes effective as an authoritative compilation. Therefore, its “audience” includes lawyers, courts, government agencies, and members of the public who rely on the published text for compliance and interpretation.
However, the subsidiary legislation incorporated within the revised edition may apply to specific persons or activities (depending on the underlying Acts listed in the Schedule). The notice itself does not impose substantive obligations; it updates the reference text for those obligations and permissions.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the notice is brief, it plays an important role in maintaining the coherence and reliability of Singapore’s legislative corpus. Revised editions are designed to consolidate amendments and present a clean, authoritative version of subsidiary legislation. For practitioners, this is essential because subsidiary legislation can be amended frequently, and the legal effect of amendments depends on their commencement dates.
1. It affects legal research and citation. When advising clients or preparing submissions, lawyers must cite the correct version of the subsidiary legislation. The notice confirms that the 2000 Revised Edition came into force on 31 August 2000. This can matter when determining the applicable legal framework for conduct occurring around that time, and when interpreting provisions as they stood after incorporation of amendments up to 5 August 2000.
2. It supports legal certainty and reduces interpretive disputes. Without formal notices bringing revised editions into force, there could be confusion about whether a consolidated text is merely informational or has legal effect. By appointing a commencement date, the notice provides a clear anchor point for courts and practitioners.
3. It ensures continuity through revised editions. The timeline indicates that the notice appears in the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (2002 RevEd). This reflects how Singapore’s legislative publishing framework updates and reissues consolidated materials. Practitioners should therefore treat the notice as part of the legislative “infrastructure” that keeps the law accessible and current.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), section 17(5) (authorising provision)
- Subsidiary Legislation incorporated in the 2000 Revised Edition (as listed in the Schedule to the notice; specific subsidiary instruments depend on the Schedule contents)
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — legislative framework for revision and publication of subsidiary legislation
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.