Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-OR10
- Type: Subsidiary legislation / Order
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Enacting Formula (summary): President’s order made under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), s 11(3)
- Key Instrument Identifier: O 10
- Gazette / Notification: G.N. No. S 96/1995
- Commencement (effective date): 15 March 1995
- Schedule: “THE SCHEDULE” (Acts listed in the Schedule; not reproduced in the extract)
- Legislative History (extract): Revised Edition 1995; dated 15 March 1994 in the enacting text; effective 15 March 1995
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a presidential order made under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. In practical terms, it is not a “substantive” law that creates new rights or offences. Instead, it is a legal mechanism used to determine which version of certain Acts will be treated as the authoritative law of Singapore for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
The order operates in the context of Singapore’s law revision process. Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners publish selected Acts in a “loose-leaf” format (a consolidated, updated edition). The President may then issue an order—published in the Gazette—specifying that the loose-leaf edition of those Acts shall become the “sole and only proper law” of Singapore in respect of the Acts covered.
Accordingly, the core function of this order is to “switch on” the loose-leaf edition listed in its Schedule as the definitive legal text. For practitioners, the significance lies in legal certainty: it ensures that when lawyers cite provisions, courts interpret them, and parties rely on statutory wording, they are using the correct, officially designated version.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory basis: section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The enacting formula states that it is enacted by section 11(3) that the Commissioners shall transmit to the President a copy of each loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule. It further provides that the President may, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts. This is the legal foundation for the order’s effect.
2. Reference to the Commissioners’ publication under section 10. The order’s preamble explains that, pursuant to section 10, the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule as in force on 31 December 1994. This matters because it ties the authoritative text to a specific “as at” date. In other words, the loose-leaf edition is not arbitrary; it is anchored to the legal position at the end of 1994 (subject to subsequent amendments that may later be incorporated through other legislative processes).
3. The operative clause: “sole and only proper law”. The operative part provides that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall, with effect from 15 March 1995, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This phrase is crucial. It indicates that, for the covered Acts, the loose-leaf edition is not merely persuasive or preferred—it is the definitive legal text for courts and all purposes.
4. The Schedule governs which Acts are covered. While the extract shows “THE SCHEDULE” and references that Acts are set out there, the actual list of Acts is not included in the provided text. Practitioners should therefore consult the Schedule in the official document to identify exactly which Acts are being “locked in” as the sole proper law as of 15 March 1995. The Schedule is the practical determinant of scope.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a conventional legislative format for orders made under an enabling statute. It includes:
(a) Enacting formula: The preamble and legal basis, explaining the statutory authority and the procedural steps taken by the Law Revision Commissioners.
(b) “THE SCHEDULE”: The Schedule lists the Acts covered by the order. The Schedule is essential for determining the scope of the “sole and only proper law” effect.
(c) Legislative history and versioning information: The document includes a legislative history section and a timeline interface indicating versions and the “current version as at 27 Mar 2026”. The extract also references the Revised Edition 1995 and the Gazette notification (G.N. No. S 96/1995).
Notably, the order is short and does not contain detailed substantive provisions. Its structure reflects its administrative-legal purpose: to designate an authoritative text version for specified Acts.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. It does not apply to a particular class of persons (such as employers, employees, or regulated industries). Instead, it applies to the legal system’s treatment of statutory text: it governs what constitutes the proper law of Singapore for the specified Acts.
In practical terms, it affects everyone who uses those Acts—courts, lawyers, government agencies, and private parties—because it determines the authoritative version of the legislation for “all courts and for all purposes”. If a practitioner is interpreting a provision within a covered Act, the order is part of the legal framework ensuring that the correct loose-leaf edition is the proper reference point.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although this order is procedural in nature, it is highly important for legal practice because it underpins legal certainty and citation accuracy. Statutory interpretation depends on the exact wording of the law. When a revised edition is designated as the “sole and only proper law,” it reduces disputes about which version of the text is authoritative—particularly where earlier editions, loose-leaf updates, or consolidated versions might otherwise create confusion.
For practitioners, the order is especially relevant in litigation and advisory work where precise statutory language matters. When drafting pleadings, preparing legal opinions, or conducting statutory interpretation, lawyers must ensure they rely on the correct version of the Act. The “sole and only proper law” designation supports the argument that the loose-leaf edition is the controlling text for the covered Acts as of the effective date.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the order also supports administrative consistency. Government agencies and regulators often rely on statutory provisions for licensing, enforcement actions, and policy implementation. By ensuring that the authoritative text is clear, the order helps prevent errors that could arise from using outdated or unofficial compilations.
Finally, the order illustrates how Singapore’s law revision framework works: it is not limited to publishing revised texts; it includes a formal presidential step that gives those texts official legal status. Understanding this process can be valuable when tracing legislative history, determining effective dates of revised editions, and explaining to clients why a particular statutory text is the controlling one.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), including:
- Section 10: publication by the Law Revision Commissioners in loose-leaf form
- Section 11(3): transmission to the President and the President’s power to designate the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law
- Gazette Notification: G.N. No. S 96/1995 (as referenced in the enacting text)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Order under Section 11 (3) for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.