Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S185-2006
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation / statutory notice (SL)
- Instrument Number: S 185
- Enacting / Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), specifically section 17(5)
- Commencement (as stated): 1 April 2006
- Date of Notice: 8 March 2006
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key Subject Matter: Appointment of the commencement date for the “2006 Revised Edition of the Rules of Court (R 5)”
- Related Instruments / References: Rules of Court (R 5) (S 71/96); Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Chapter 322)
- Law Revision Commission: Chairman signature (CHAN SEK KEONG)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a statutory notice issued under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). In plain terms, it is not a “new set of rules” in itself; rather, it is an official public notification that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed a specific date on which a revised compilation of the Rules of Court will come into force.
The notice concerns the “2006 Revised Edition of the Rules of Court (R 5) (S 71/96)”, which was made under the Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Chapter 322). The notice explains that the Law Revision Commissioners caused the 2006 Revised Edition to be published in loose-leaf form, incorporating amendments up to 1 April 2006. The notice then sets the commencement date for that revised edition.
For practitioners, the practical significance is straightforward: it tells you when the revised Rules of Court text becomes the operative version for court proceedings. Even where the substantive rules may have been updated through amendments, the commencement date determines which procedural requirements apply to cases filed or steps taken around that time.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory basis: section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The notice is 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 laws (including rules) in a loose-leaf format, and to bring those revised editions into force by a notice for general information. The notice therefore functions as the formal “trigger” for the revised Rules of Court to take effect.
2. Publication of the 2006 Revised Edition of the Rules of Court
The notice states that, under section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners have caused to be published in loose-leaf form the 2006 Revised Edition of the Rules of Court (R 5) (S 71/96). It further clarifies that this revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 1 April 2006. This is important because it indicates that the revised compilation is not merely a reprint; it is intended to reflect the state of the law as at the relevant cut-off date.
3. Appointment of the commencement date
The central operative statement is that the Law Revision Commissioners have appointed 1 April 2006 as the date the 2006 Revised Edition of the Rules of Court shall come into force. In effect, the notice answers the question practitioners often ask: “From when do I use the revised Rules of Court text?” The answer is 1 April 2006.
4. Formalities: date, signatory, and notification for general information
The notice is dated 8 March 2006 and signed by CHAN SEK KEONG, Chairman of the Law Revision Commission. It is expressly “notified for general information,” signalling that it is intended to be publicly accessible and relied upon by the legal profession, litigants, and court officers. The inclusion of the reference “[AG/RSL/1/2006]” assists with administrative tracking and citation.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short statutory notice rather than a multi-part statute. It contains: (i) a heading identifying the notice; (ii) a status and versioning statement (current as at 27 March 2026); (iii) an enacting formula referencing section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act; and (iv) a substantive paragraph beginning with “Whereas…” followed by “Now, therefore…” which sets out the commencement date.
There are no “Parts” or “sections” in the substantive sense typical of a full Act or detailed subsidiary legislation. Instead, the notice operates as a single-purpose document: it communicates the commencement date for a revised edition of the Rules of Court. For legal research and practice, the structure is therefore best understood as a formal administrative act within the broader legislative framework for law revision and consolidation.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The notice applies to any person and any proceeding that uses the Rules of Court in Singapore after the commencement date. That includes lawyers, litigants, court registries, and judges who must apply the procedural rules governing civil and related court processes.
Because the notice is about the effective date of a revised edition, its practical reach is temporal: it affects how the Rules of Court are to be read and applied from 1 April 2006. In practice, this means that procedural steps taken on or after that date should be assessed against the 2006 Revised Edition of the Rules of Court (R 5), as incorporated and updated up to the relevant cut-off.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the notice is brief, it is important because procedural law is highly sensitive to versioning. The Rules of Court govern matters such as pleadings, case management, affidavits, hearings, timelines, and procedural compliance. If a practitioner relies on an outdated version, there is a risk of procedural missteps—such as incorrect filing requirements, misunderstanding of time limits, or failure to comply with updated procedural mechanisms.
This notice provides certainty by formally appointing the commencement date for the revised compilation. It also assures practitioners that the 2006 Revised Edition incorporates amendments up to 1 April 2006, meaning the revised text is intended to be a consolidated and authoritative reference point for the profession.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the notice itself does not impose obligations in the way that substantive rules do. Instead, it ensures that the legal system has a clear, publicly notified transition point. Courts and practitioners can therefore align their procedural conduct with the operative rules. For litigation strategy, this can matter when determining which procedural regime applies to events occurring around the transition date—particularly for matters where filings, applications, or procedural deadlines straddle the commencement date.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5)
- Rules of Court (R 5) (S 71/96) — the 2006 Revised Edition referenced in the notice
- Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Chapter 322) — the enabling Act under which the Rules of Court are made
- Judicature Act — referenced in the metadata as “Judicature Act, Timeline” (contextual research aid)
- Timeline — the legislation timeline tool used to identify the correct version as at a given date
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.