Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S170-1996
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Legislative Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Primary Subject: Confirmation that a “loose-leaf edition” of specified Acts is the sole and only proper law of Singapore
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Key Legal Mechanism: President’s order under section 11(3) following Law Revision Commissioners’ publication
- Commencement / Effective Date (as stated): 30 April 1996
- Gazette / Instrument Reference: No. S 170 (SL 170/1996)
- Enacting Formula: “Whereas…” preamble followed by President’s order and effective date
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is an Order made by the President of Singapore under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain terms, it is a formal legal step that turns a particular published version of certain Acts—specifically, the “loose-leaf edition” prepared by the Law Revision Commissioners—into the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
The practical effect is about legal certainty. When laws are revised and republished in updated formats, disputes can arise about which version is authoritative. This Order resolves that by specifying that, from the stated effective date, the loose-leaf edition is the only proper law “in all courts and for all purposes” in respect of the Acts listed in the Schedule.
Although the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents, the structure of the Order makes clear that the Schedule contains the Acts set out (as in force on a specified date) that have been published in loose-leaf form. The Order then confirms their legal status as the authoritative version.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “loose-leaf edition” is the authoritative law
The central operative provision is the President’s order that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule “shall, with effect from 30th April 1996, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This is the core legal consequence. It means that, for the specified Acts, courts and legal practitioners must treat the loose-leaf edition as the definitive text.
2. The legal pathway: section 10 publication by the Law Revision Commissioners
The preamble explains the process. It states that, pursuant to section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners published in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule as in force on 8th April 1996. This matters because it ties the authoritative version to a particular “as at” date, indicating the legal state at the time of compilation.
3. The President’s role under section 11(3)
The Order also highlights the statutory discretion and procedure. It notes that section 11(3) provides for the Commissioners to transmit to the President a copy of each loose-leaf edition. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law.
4. “In all courts and for all purposes”
The phrase “in all courts and for all purposes” is significant. It is not limited to particular proceedings or administrative uses. It is designed to eliminate ambiguity across the legal system—covering litigation, statutory interpretation, enforcement actions, and any other legal context where the “proper law” of Singapore must be identified.
5. Effective date and formalities
The Order is dated 10 April 1996 and states that the loose-leaf edition becomes authoritative with effect from 30 April 1996. The instrument is signed “By Command” by the Secretary to the Cabinet (Wong Chooi Sen), reflecting the formal constitutional and administrative practice for presidential orders.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a way typical of legislative orders made under a parent statute. It contains:
(a) A title identifying it as an “Order under Section 11(3)”.
(b) A status and versioning note indicating that the current version is as at 27 March 2026, with a timeline and version history.
(c) An enacting formula that sets out the legal basis and the President’s authority.
(d) A preamble (“Whereas…” clauses) describing the steps taken under sections 10 and 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act.
(e) The operative part ordering that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law, effective from 30 April 1996.
(f) The Schedule, which (as indicated) lists the Acts covered by the Order.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the Schedule is the most important “missing” element in the extract you provided. In practice, the Schedule determines which Acts are affected by the “sole and only proper law” confirmation.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. It does not directly regulate conduct by individuals or businesses in the way substantive regulatory legislation does. Instead, it governs the legal status of the text of the Acts—making a particular published edition authoritative.
Its effects are system-wide: the Order states that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law “in all courts and for all purposes.” Accordingly, it binds and guides:
• Courts when interpreting and applying the listed Acts;
• Legal practitioners when citing statutory provisions;
• Government agencies when enforcing or administering those Acts;
• Parties to proceedings who must rely on the correct authoritative text.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is brief, it is highly important for legal certainty. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate, authoritative statutory texts. When laws are revised and republished, there is a risk that different versions—older consolidations, unofficial copies, or interim amendments—might be cited. This Order eliminates that risk for the Acts in the Schedule by declaring which edition is the proper law.
For practitioners, the Order has at least three practical implications:
1. Citation and interpretation
When citing statutory provisions, lawyers must ensure they are using the authoritative version. The “sole and only proper law” language supports the proposition that courts will treat the loose-leaf edition as definitive for the relevant Acts as from the effective date.
2. Avoiding disputes about the “correct text”
In litigation, parties sometimes argue about whether a provision has been amended, repealed, or re-enacted. While this Order does not itself amend substantive law, it provides a mechanism for ensuring that the published compilation is the authoritative reference point.
3. Administrative and enforcement consistency
Agencies and enforcement bodies must apply the law as it stands in the authoritative text. The Order helps ensure uniformity across government and the judiciary.
Finally, the procedural nature of the instrument underscores a broader legislative policy: Singapore maintains a structured approach to law revision and consolidation. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides the framework, and orders like this one are the “switch” that activates the revised compilation as the proper law.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3) governing publication of loose-leaf editions and the President’s orders to confirm their legal status.
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.