Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S180-2008
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Enacting Formula / Authority: Law Revision Commissioners
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Provision Referenced: Section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Instrument Date: 11 March 2008
- Commencement / Effective Date: 1 April 2008
- Publication / Gazette Reference: SL 180/2008
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 is not a substantive regulatory law that creates new duties or offences. Instead, it is an administrative/legal revision notice that tells the public when a particular revised compilation of subsidiary legislation will take effect.
The notice explains that the Law Revision Commissioners have caused to be published (in loose-leaf form) the 2008 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. The notice then appoints a specific date—1 April 2008—as the date on which that 2008 revised edition of subsidiary legislation comes into force.
For practitioners, the practical significance lies in legal certainty and citation: when a revised edition comes into force, it becomes the authoritative consolidated form for reference, and it incorporates amendments up to a specified cut-off date (here, up to 1 March 2008). This helps lawyers, courts, and agencies rely on a single updated text rather than piecing together multiple amendments.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Legal basis: section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The notice is grounded in section 17(5), which empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of subsidiary legislation and to notify the public of the date those revised editions come into force. The notice therefore functions as the “activation” mechanism for the revised compilation.
2. Publication of the 2008 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation. The notice states that, under section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners have caused to be published in loose-leaf form the 2008 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule. The key point is that the revised edition is not merely a reprint; it is intended to incorporate all amendments up to 1 March 2008. That incorporation is crucial for practitioners who need to confirm the current legal position as at the revision cut-off.
3. Appointment of the commencement date. The notice then “therefore” notifies for general information that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 1 April 2008 as the date the 2008 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force. This is the operative effect: from that date, the revised edition is treated as the governing consolidated text for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule.
4. Formalities and authentication. The notice is dated 11 March 2008 and signed by CHAO HICK TIN, Chairman, Law Revision Commission. It also includes an identifying reference in square brackets: [AG/RSL/1/2008]. These formal elements are typical of Singapore legislative notices and support authenticity and traceability.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short notice with an enacting formula and a schedule reference. The extract provided shows the following components:
(a) Title and status information: It is labelled “Notice under Section 17(5)” and indicates it is the current version as at 27 March 2026. The platform interface also includes printing options (HTML/PDF/Word) and a timeline/versioning prompt, reflecting that the notice may be updated or reissued in consolidated form for access purposes.
(b) Enacting formula: The notice includes a standard legislative preamble (“Whereas… Now, therefore…”) explaining the background (publication of the revised edition) and the action taken (appointment of the commencement date).
(c) The Schedule: While the extract does not reproduce the Schedule contents, it indicates that the subsidiary legislation covered is “made under the Acts set out in the Schedule.” In practice, the Schedule determines the scope of what is included in the revised edition. For a practitioner, the Schedule is the gateway to understanding which subsidiary legislation is affected by the coming-into-force date.
(d) Operative paragraph: The operative effect is contained in the “Now, therefore” paragraph appointing 1 April 2008 as the date of coming into force.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the notice is addressed to the public (“for general information”), its legal effect is primarily on the authoritative form of subsidiary legislation for the Acts listed in the Schedule. Therefore, it applies indirectly to everyone who relies on subsidiary legislation—courts, tribunals, government agencies, regulated entities, and members of the public—because it determines which consolidated text is treated as current and authoritative from the commencement date.
Importantly, the notice does not create a new regulatory regime by itself. Instead, it updates the compilation of existing subsidiary legislation. Accordingly, the “who” is best understood as those who must correctly identify and apply the subsidiary legislation in force as at the relevant date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
For legal practitioners, the value of this notice is in legal certainty, accurate citation, and continuity. Singapore’s legislative framework includes numerous subsidiary instruments (regulations, orders, rules, and other subsidiary legislation). Over time, amendments accumulate. Revised editions are designed to consolidate amendments into a single coherent text. This notice confirms when that consolidation becomes effective.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the notice helps ensure that regulated parties and authorities refer to the correct version of subsidiary legislation. If a practitioner cites an outdated instrument or an earlier consolidated edition, there is a risk of misstatement of the law—particularly where amendments have been incorporated. By identifying the coming-into-force date of the 2008 revised edition, the notice supports accurate legal research and reduces citation errors.
From a litigation and advisory standpoint, the notice also assists in determining the temporal applicability of the consolidated text. While the notice itself is not about substantive rights, it is about when the revised compilation takes effect. In disputes involving conduct spanning dates around the revision, lawyers may need to confirm whether the relevant subsidiary provisions were already amended by 1 March 2008 and whether the revised edition became effective on 1 April 2008.
Finally, the notice demonstrates the administrative process by which Singapore maintains its legislative corpus. The Law Revision Commission’s role under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act reflects a commitment to keeping the law accessible and up to date. Practitioners benefit because the revised edition is intended to be the practical reference point for the law as amended up to the cut-off date.
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 (as incorporated into the 2008 Revised Edition)
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.