Statute Details
- Title: Notification under Section 4(2) (RELA1983-N1)
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation / notification (sl)
- Act Code: RELA1983-N1
- Enacting Formula / Authority: Made pursuant to section 4(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275, s 4(2))
- Instrument Reference: Notification under Section 4(2) — N 1
- G.N. No.: S 308/1986
- Revised Edition / Effective Date (as shown in extract): Revised Edition 1990 (25 March 1992)
- Legislative History (extract): [5 December 1986] (as indicated in the notification)
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Parts: Not applicable (notification with a schedule)
- Key Provisions (from extract): The operative effect is stated in the enacting formula and the schedule: specified Ordinances, Acts and Imperial legislation are omitted from the revised edition under section 4(1) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
What Is This Legislation About?
This “Notification under Section 4(2)” is a procedural instrument made under Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain terms, it is part of the legal publishing and consolidation process that produces a “revised edition” of Singapore’s laws. The notification does not create new substantive rights or offences. Instead, it determines which older legislative instruments are excluded (“omitted”) from the revised edition of Acts.
The extract indicates that the notification is made pursuant to section 4(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. That provision empowers the relevant authority to omit certain categories of earlier legislation—specifically, Ordinances, Acts and Imperial legislation—that are listed in the Schedule. The omission is consequential for legal research and practice: it affects what appears in the revised edition, and therefore how lawyers locate and cite historical provisions.
For practitioners, the practical question is not “what conduct is prohibited?” but rather “what legislative texts are included in the current revised edition and which are not?” This matters for statutory interpretation, citation accuracy, and due diligence when dealing with legacy matters (for example, older regulatory regimes, transitional provisions, or historical enforcement actions).
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The operative legal effect: omission from the revised edition. The enacting formula in the extract states the core effect: “Pursuant to section 4(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Ordinances, Acts and Imperial legislation specified in the Schedule are omitted from the revised edition of Acts under section 4(1) of that Act.” This is the heart of the notification. It operates by reference to the Schedule (not reproduced in the extract you provided), which identifies the specific earlier instruments that will not be carried forward into the revised edition.
2. Reliance on the Revised Edition of the Laws Act framework. The notification is not standalone lawmaking. It is an administrative/legal publishing mechanism that sits within a broader statutory scheme. Section 4(1) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (as referenced) provides for the production of a revised edition of Acts. Section 4(2) then provides the power to omit specified instruments from that revised edition. The notification therefore functions as a “filter” that shapes the content of the revised compilation.
3. Schedule-based specificity. The notification’s legal content is effectively the Schedule. Even though the extract does not show the Schedule items, the structure is clear: the Schedule lists the Ordinances, Acts and Imperial legislation to be omitted. For legal practitioners, the Schedule is critical because it determines whether a particular historical instrument remains accessible in the revised edition or is excluded and must be consulted in older sources.
4. Versioning and legislative history. The extract shows that the notification has a “current version” status as at 27 March 2026, and it references a revised edition date (25 March 1992) and an earlier date (5 December 1986). This indicates that the notification has been carried forward and/or republished within the revised edition framework. Practically, lawyers should always confirm the correct version and timeline when citing, especially where older instruments may have been renumbered, reissued, or omitted.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Based on the extract, the notification is structured in a typical format for Singapore legislative instruments:
(a) Title and status: It is identified as “Notification under Section 4(2)” with a status of “Current version as at 27 Mar 2026.” This signals that the platform version is up to date, even if the underlying notification was made earlier.
(b) Enacting formula: The enacting formula explains the legal basis and the effect. It expressly ties the omission to section 4(2 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act.
(c) The Schedule: The Schedule is the substantive component. It specifies the Ordinances, Acts and Imperial legislation that are omitted from the revised edition of Acts under section 4(1). In practice, the Schedule is where practitioners will look to determine whether a particular historical instrument is included or excluded.
(d) Legislative history / timeline: The extract includes a “Legislative History” section and a timeline showing dates and references (including “Revised Edition 1990” and “1990 RevEd”). This is important for ensuring that the correct version is consulted and for understanding how the notification fits into the broader legislative revision process.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This notification does not apply to a class of persons in the way that regulatory statutes do (e.g., it does not impose duties on employers, licensees, or the public). Instead, it applies to the legal publication and compilation process—specifically, the production of the revised edition of Acts under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act.
However, its effects are felt by legal practitioners, courts, regulators, and researchers because it determines what legislative instruments are omitted from the revised edition. In practical terms, the notification affects how lawyers retrieve and cite legislation. If a particular Ordinance or Imperial Act is omitted from the revised edition, practitioners may need to consult the original enactment texts or other historical sources rather than relying solely on the revised compilation.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the notification is procedural, it is important because legal certainty depends on accurate access to authoritative texts. Singapore’s revised editions aim to provide a coherent, consolidated view of the law. Omitting specified instruments helps maintain the integrity of that compilation by excluding legislation that is no longer intended to appear in the revised edition—whether because it has been superseded, is obsolete, or is otherwise not meant to be carried forward.
For practitioners, the key significance lies in citation and research accuracy. When advising clients, preparing pleadings, or drafting submissions, lawyers must cite the correct statutory provisions. If a historical instrument is omitted from the revised edition, relying on it as if it were part of the current compilation could lead to citation errors or misstatements of the law. Conversely, understanding that an instrument has been omitted can prompt counsel to locate the correct historical text and interpret it in its proper context.
Finally, the notification underscores the importance of version control. The extract shows “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” and references earlier dates. In legal practice, especially in matters involving legacy facts, transitional regimes, or historical regulatory conduct, it is essential to confirm the version of the legislation being relied upon. This notification is a reminder that the “current” status of a document on a legal database may reflect republication or maintenance within the revised edition framework, not necessarily a change in substantive content.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), in particular section 4(1) and section 4(2)
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), as referenced in the enacting formula (Cap. 275, s 4(2))
- G.N. No. S 308/1986 (as the notification reference shown in the extract)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Notification under Section 4 (2) for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.