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
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation notice (sl)
- Act Code: RELA1983-N11
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), Sections 10(6) and 17(6)
- Document Reference: G.N. No. S 563/1997
- Revised Edition / Publication: Revised Edition 1998 (15th June 1998)
- Effective date stated in the Notice: 1st January 1998
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Subject matter (as stated in the extract): Revised loose-leaf pages incorporating amendments to the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5) up to 31st December 1997
What Is This Legislation About?
This “Notice under Sections 10(6) and 17(6)” is not a substantive law creating new rights or offences. Instead, it is an administrative legislative instrument issued under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) to bring into force a revised set of “loose-leaf pages” for a body of subsidiary legislation—here, the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5).
In plain terms, the Notice tells lawyers and the public that the Law Revision Commissioners have prepared an updated version of the Rules of Court by incorporating amendments made up to a specified cut-off date (31 December 1997). The Notice then appoints a specific date (1 January 1998) when those revised loose-leaf pages take effect.
Because the Notice is tied to the revised edition process, it functions as a “version control” mechanism within Singapore’s legislative framework. Practitioners rely on it to confirm which consolidated text is authoritative at a given time—particularly important in litigation where procedural rules (such as court filing requirements, timelines, and case management mechanisms) can materially affect outcomes.
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 expressly made pursuant to Sections 10(6) and 17(6) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. These provisions empower the Law Revision Commissioners to prepare revised loose-leaf pages and to publish them in a form that consolidates amendments. The legal significance is that the revised pages are not merely editorial; they are part of the official legislative text once brought into force.
2. Incorporation of amendments up to a defined cut-off date. The Notice states that the Commissioners have prepared and published loose-leaf pages that incorporate “all amendments up to 31st December 1997” made to the relevant subsidiary legislation. In the extract, the relevant subsidiary legislation is the Rules of Court (Chapter 322, R 5). This cut-off date is crucial: it indicates that the revised text is intended to be comprehensive as at that date, and that later amendments would not be reflected unless separately issued or included in a subsequent revision.
3. Appointment of the effective date for the revised pages. The operative part of the Notice provides that the Commissioners have appointed 1st January 1998 as the date the revised loose-leaf pages in “this Issue” shall come into force. For practitioners, this means that from that date, the revised consolidated procedural rules are the authoritative text for application by the courts and for compliance by litigants.
4. “General information” function. The Notice is framed “for general information.” While that phrase might suggest a purely informational character, in practice it signals that the revised text is officially effective and should be used. In litigation, counsel typically must ensure that they cite and rely on the correct version of the Rules of Court, and the effective date appointed by the Notice is the anchor point for that exercise.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, the instrument is a short notice rather than a long statute. Based on the extract, it contains: (1) an enacting formula; (2) a preamble (“Whereas…”), which explains the background—namely, that the Law Revision Commissioners have prepared and published the loose-leaf pages; and (3) an operative clause (“Now, therefore…”), which appoints the effective date for the revised pages.
The Notice also references “THE SCHEDULE”, indicating that the schedule would set out the loose-leaf pages issued under the relevant issue. In the extract provided, the schedule content is not reproduced, but the schedule’s role is to identify the specific revised pages and the scope of what is being issued. Practitioners should treat the schedule as part of the official instrument, because it is the mechanism by which the revised materials are formally specified.
Finally, the document includes a legislative history / timeline section showing the publication and revision dates (e.g., “Revised Edition 1998 (15th June 1998)” and “1st January 1998” as the effective date). This timeline is important for determining which version is currently consolidated and for understanding the historical progression of the Rules of Court text.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Notice applies to the extent that it governs the official text of the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5) as incorporated into the revised loose-leaf pages. While the Notice itself does not impose obligations directly on individuals, it affects everyone who must comply with the Rules of Court—most notably litigants, their solicitors and counsel, court registries, and judges who apply procedural requirements.
In practical terms, the Notice is relevant to any person or entity involved in civil and related court proceedings where the Rules of Court govern procedure. Because procedural rules can change through amendments, the revised loose-leaf pages provide the authoritative version that courts and practitioners should follow from the effective date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Notice is brief, it is legally significant because it determines which version of the Rules of Court is in force. In procedural law, timing and compliance requirements can be outcome-determinative. For example, amendments to procedural rules may affect filing deadlines, service requirements, case management steps, costs consequences, or the interpretation of procedural provisions. Knowing the effective date of the revised consolidated text helps counsel assess whether a procedural step was taken under the correct rules.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the Notice supports accurate legal research and citation. When drafting pleadings, motions, affidavits, or submissions, lawyers must cite the correct provisions as they stood at the relevant time. The Notice provides a clear anchor: the revised loose-leaf pages for Issue 1/97 of the Rules of Court came into force on 1 January 1998. That helps avoid errors where counsel might inadvertently rely on an earlier or later version.
Finally, the Notice illustrates how Singapore maintains legislative coherence through the revised edition system. By consolidating amendments into updated loose-leaf pages, the Law Revision Commissioners reduce fragmentation and improve accessibility of the law. For busy practitioners, this reduces the risk of missing amendments and supports more reliable compliance with procedural requirements.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) — Sections 10(6) and 17(6) (authorising the issue of revised loose-leaf pages)
- Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5) — the subsidiary legislation whose amendments up to 31 December 1997 were incorporated into the revised loose-leaf pages
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.