Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Sections 10(6) and 17(6) for the Issue of Revised Loose-leaf Pages of Subsidiary Legislation Issue 1/99
- Act Code: RELA1983-N18
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL) / Notice
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Key Authorising Provisions: Sections 10(6) and 17(6) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Legislative Instrument: Notice
- Gazette / Notification Reference: G.N. No. S 128/1999
- Revised Edition: Revised Edition of the Laws (2001 RevEd)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Effective date stated in the Notice: 1 April 1999
- Subject matter (from the Notice): Revised loose-leaf pages of subsidiary legislation—specifically, the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a statutory notice made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain language, it is not a substantive law that changes legal rights or obligations on its own. Instead, it is an administrative/legal “activation” notice that tells practitioners when a revised set of loose-leaf pages—prepared by the Law Revision Commissioners—becomes legally effective.
The Notice concerns “revised loose-leaf pages” for subsidiary legislation. In the extract provided, the relevant subsidiary legislation is the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5). The Notice states that the Law Revision Commissioners have prepared and published loose-leaf pages that incorporate amendments made up to 1 March 1999. The Notice then appoints a specific date—1 April 1999—as the date those revised pages come into force.
For lawyers, the practical significance is that the Rules of Court (and any other subsidiary legislation covered by the loose-leaf issue) must be consulted in their “current” form as of the effective date. This ensures that pleadings, procedure, timelines, and court practice are aligned with the version of the Rules that the courts will apply.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority under Sections 10(6) and 17(6) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The Notice is expressly made “under sections 10(6) and 17(6)” of Cap. 275. Those provisions empower the Law Revision Commissioners to prepare and publish revised loose-leaf pages that consolidate amendments into the official text. The Notice’s role is to provide the formal public notification of when the revised pages take effect.
2. Consolidation of amendments up to a specified cut-off date
The Notice states that the Law Revision Commissioners have prepared and published loose-leaf pages incorporating “all amendments up to 1st March 1999 made to the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5).” This cut-off date is important: it defines the scope of what is included in the revised text. Practitioners should not assume that later amendments (after 1 March 1999) are included in the revised loose-leaf pages unless separately provided.
3. Appointment of the effective date for the revised loose-leaf pages
The operative effect of the Notice is the appointment of 1 April 1999 as the date the revised loose-leaf pages in “this Issue” come into force. This is the legal trigger for the revised procedural rules to apply. Even where the amendments were already made earlier, the revised loose-leaf compilation becomes the authoritative reference point from the effective date.
4. “For general information” and public notification
The Notice is framed as a public notification “for general information.” While this may sound purely informational, in practice it is a formal legislative/administrative step that ensures the revised text is treated as effective from the appointed date. Courts and practitioners rely on such notices to determine the applicable procedural framework at a given time.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is a short notice rather than a multi-part statute. The extract shows the following components:
(a) Enacting formula: It identifies the legal basis for the Notice—sections 10(6) and 17(6) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275).
(b) “Whereas” clause: It explains the background—namely, that the Law Revision Commissioners have prepared and published revised loose-leaf pages incorporating amendments up to 1 March 1999.
(c) Operative clause (“Now, therefore”): It appoints the effective date (1 April 1999) for the revised loose-leaf pages of the Rules of Court in Issue 1/99.
(d) “The Schedule”: The instrument references a schedule, which in many such notices contains the formal listing or identification of the revised loose-leaf pages. In the extract provided, the schedule content is not reproduced, but the schedule concept is consistent with loose-leaf issuance practice.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the Notice is addressed to the public “for general information,” its practical application is to any person and organisation that must comply with the Rules of Court. This includes litigants, legal practitioners, law firms, and court officers who rely on the procedural rules governing civil and related proceedings.
More specifically, the Notice affects procedural compliance by determining when the revised compilation of the Rules of Court becomes effective. Therefore, it applies to all users of the Rules of Court from 1 April 1999 onward, including those preparing documents, filing pleadings, applying for procedural directions, and observing court timelines.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though this Notice is brief, it is important because it clarifies the version of the Rules of Court that is authoritative from a particular date. In litigation practice, procedural rules can be highly time-sensitive. A change in the Rules—whether about filing deadlines, case management steps, or procedural requirements—can affect strategy, admissibility of documents, and the validity of steps taken.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the Notice helps prevent uncertainty. Without such a notice, practitioners might debate whether the revised loose-leaf pages are merely editorial consolidation or whether they have a distinct legal effect date. By appointing a specific commencement date (1 April 1999), the Notice provides a clear reference point for determining which procedural framework applies to events occurring on or after that date.
For legal research, the Notice is also critical for accurate citation and historical analysis. When advising on procedural matters that arose around the effective date, lawyers must ensure they consult the correct version of the Rules. The Notice’s reference to amendments “up to 1 March 1999” and the effective date “1 April 1999” are key anchors for determining whether a particular amendment was included in the revised text at the time the procedural step was taken.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), in particular sections 10(6) and 17(6)
- Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5)
- G.N. No. S 128/1999 (gazette notification reference for the Notice)
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 1/99 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.