Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Sections 10(6) and 17(6) for the Issue of Revised Loose-leaf Pages of Subsidiary Legislation Issue 1/97
- Act Code: RELA1983-N11
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (sl)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Authorising Provisions: Sections 10(6) and 17(6) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Enacting Instrument: Notice for general information
- Gazette / Instrument Reference: G.N. No. S 563/1997
- Revised Edition Date: 15 June 1998 (1998 RevEd)
- Commencement / Effective Date stated in the Notice: 1 January 1998
- Legislation being revised: Rules of Court (Chapter 322, R 5)
- Amendments incorporated up to: 31 December 1997
- Status (as indicated in the extract): Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a notice issued under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain language, it tells the public that the Law Revision Commissioners have prepared and published revised loose-leaf pages for a specific set of subsidiary legislation—here, the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5)—and that those revised pages will take effect on a specified date.
The notice is not itself a substantive amendment to the Rules of Court. Rather, it is an administrative/legal mechanism used in Singapore’s legislative consolidation and revision process. The purpose is to ensure that practitioners and the public can rely on a current, consolidated version of the Rules of Court that incorporates amendments made up to a cut-off date.
In this case, the notice states that the revised loose-leaf pages for Issue 1/97 (incorporating amendments up to 31 December 1997) are to come into force on 1 January 1998. This is important because, in practice, the effective date determines which version of the Rules of Court applies to proceedings, procedural steps, and time-sensitive litigation events.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority to issue revised loose-leaf pages (Sections 10(6) and 17(6) of Cap. 275). The notice is grounded in the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. Sections 10(6) and 17(6) empower the Law Revision Commissioners to prepare and publish revised loose-leaf pages that incorporate amendments to subsidiary legislation. The legal significance is that the revised pages are treated as the authoritative consolidated text for the relevant instrument.
2. Incorporation of amendments up to a specified cut-off date. The notice expressly states that the loose-leaf pages set out in the Schedule incorporate all amendments up to 31 December 1997 made to the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5). This cut-off date is a key practitioner point: it clarifies that amendments made after 31 December 1997 are not included in this particular revised issue, and therefore may require separate consideration.
3. Appointment of the effective date for the revised pages. The operative statement is that the Commissioners have appointed 1 January 1998 as the date the revised loose-leaf pages in this issue shall come into force. This is the central “doing” of the notice: it establishes when the revised consolidated Rules of Court text becomes legally applicable.
4. “For general information” characterisation. The notice is framed as being “hereby notified for general information”. While this phrasing can appear ceremonial, it does not diminish legal effect. The notice is still a formal instrument that communicates the effective date and the fact of incorporation. Practitioners should treat it as a reliable source for determining the governing procedural rules as at the relevant time.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is relatively simple. It follows the typical format of a Singapore legislative notice under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act:
(a) Enacting formula: It identifies the legal basis (Sections 10(6) and 17(6) of Cap. 275) and introduces the notice.
(b) The Schedule: The extract indicates “THE SCHEDULE” and “Whereas…” language. In practice, the Schedule is where the revised loose-leaf pages are identified or set out as part of the revision package. The Schedule is the vehicle through which the revised text is made available.
(c) Legislative history / timeline: The extract shows a timeline with dates such as 15 June 1998 (1998 Revised Edition) and 1 January 1998 (effective date appointed by the notice). This helps users locate the correct version and understand how the revised edition relates to the effective date.
(d) Status and versioning: The page indicates “Current version as at 27 Mar 2026”. This is a platform status indicator, not necessarily a change in the law, but it signals that the document is maintained and accessible in an up-to-date consolidated database.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the notice is addressed “for general information”, its practical effect is to determine the version of the Rules of Court that applies. Therefore, it applies to everyone who is subject to the Rules of Court in Singapore—primarily litigants, advocates and solicitors, court officers, and tribunals that apply the Rules of Court procedures.
In terms of legal scope, the notice’s impact is time-bound: it governs the procedural rules from 1 January 1998 (for the revised loose-leaf pages in Issue 1/97). For proceedings commenced before that date, practitioners must consider whether transitional provisions exist in the underlying amendments. Where no specific transitional regime is stated, the general principle is that procedural rules apply according to their effective date, but careful analysis is often required for steps already taken or deadlines already running.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though this notice does not introduce new substantive legal rights or obligations by itself, it is highly important for legal practice because it determines which procedural text is authoritative. Litigation is procedural-law intensive: small differences in the Rules of Court can affect filing requirements, timelines, case management steps, and the validity of procedural acts.
For practitioners, the notice provides a reliable anchor point for version control. When advising clients or preparing court documents, lawyers must ensure that they cite and comply with the correct version of the Rules of Court. The notice clarifies that the revised loose-leaf pages incorporate amendments up to 31 December 1997 and come into force on 1 January 1998. This helps avoid errors such as relying on superseded provisions or overlooking amendments that have already taken effect.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the Rules of Court are enforced through the court’s procedural powers. If a party fails to comply with the applicable rules (as at the relevant date), the consequences may include procedural sanctions, dismissal, striking out, or other adverse orders. Accordingly, a notice that sets the effective date of a revised consolidated text can indirectly affect outcomes in disputes.
Finally, the notice illustrates Singapore’s legislative revision infrastructure. The Law Revision Commissioners’ work ensures that the law is presented in a coherent, consolidated form. For lawyers, this reduces research friction and supports accurate citation—especially when multiple amendments have been made over time.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) — particularly Sections 10(6) and 17(6)
- Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5) — the subsidiary legislation whose revised loose-leaf pages are being brought into force
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Notice under Sections 10 (6) and 17 (6) for the Issue of Revised Loose-leaf Pages of Subsidiary Legislation Issue 1/97 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.