Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S174-2006
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Legislative Instrument: Presidential Order
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Authorising Provision: Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Commencement / Effective Date: 1 April 2006 (with effect from 1st April 2006)
- Enacting Formula / Instrument Date: Dated 8 March 2006
- Gazette Publication Mechanism: Order published in the Gazette
- Schedule: “Part I” (Acts set out in Part I of the Schedule as in force on 1 March 2006) and “Part II” (Acts set out in Part II of the Schedule as in force on 1 April 2006) referenced in the preamble
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Version / Citation: SL 174/2006 (01 Apr 2006)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a Presidential Order made under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain language, it is the legal mechanism by which the Singapore Government “locks in” a particular revised edition of specified Acts so that, from a specified date, that revised edition becomes the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
The Order is not a substantive reform of policy in the way many Acts are. Instead, it is an administrative/legal consolidation step that ensures courts and practitioners rely on the correct, updated version of legislation. It addresses a practical problem: legislation exists in multiple forms over time (original Acts, amendments, and revised editions). Without a formal “proper law” designation, disputes can arise about which version is authoritative for litigation and official interpretation.
Accordingly, the scope of the Order is limited to the Acts listed in the Schedule (with the preamble referencing Acts in Part I as in force on 1 March 2006 and Acts in Part II as in force on 1 April 2006). The Order’s operative effect is to designate the relevant loose-leaf editions of those Acts as the authoritative legal text.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The legal basis: section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The preamble explains that the Law Revision Commissioners have published certain Acts in loose-leaf form. Under section 11(3), the Commissioners must transmit copies to the President. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf editions shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the specified Acts.
2. The “sole and only proper law” designation. The operative clause states that the loose-leaf editions of the Acts (as set out in the Schedule) shall, with effect from 1 April 2006, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This is the central legal effect. It means that, for the listed Acts, courts and all persons must treat the loose-leaf revised edition as the authoritative text—rather than earlier editions, unofficial compilations, or other versions.
3. The effective date and continuity of legal authority. The Order specifies a clear commencement point: 1 April 2006. This matters for practitioners because it determines which version of the law applies at different times. For events occurring before the effective date, the applicable law would generally be the version in force at that time. For events after the effective date, the revised loose-leaf edition becomes the authoritative text. In litigation, this can affect interpretation where amendments were incorporated into the revised edition.
4. The Gazette publication requirement and formal validity. The preamble emphasises that the President’s power is exercised through an order published in the Gazette. This requirement is important for validity and public notice. It ensures that the legal community is informed of the authoritative text and that the designation is formally recorded in an official publication.
Practical note on the Schedule: The extract provided shows the heading “THE SCHEDULE” and “Part I,” but does not reproduce the list of Acts. In practice, the Schedule is where the practitioner must look to identify exactly which Acts are covered. The legal effect is only for those Acts listed in the Schedule (and, as referenced in the preamble, those in Part I and Part II prepared as at the relevant dates).
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short Presidential Order with an enacting formula and a Schedule. The Schedule is divided into parts (at least “Part I” is visible in the extract), reflecting the different “as in force” dates used by the Law Revision Commissioners when preparing the loose-leaf editions.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the structure is straightforward:
- Preamble: explains the background—publication of loose-leaf editions by the Law Revision Commissioners and the President’s power under section 11(3).
- Operative clause: designates the loose-leaf editions as the sole and only proper law, effective from 1 April 2006.
- Schedule: lists the Acts covered, typically separated into parts corresponding to the “as in force” dates used for compilation.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies indirectly to the public and legal system by determining what constitutes the authoritative legal text for the specified Acts. It does not impose duties or confer rights in the way a typical regulatory statute does. Instead, it governs legal authority and citation: the “proper law” of Singapore for the listed Acts is the loose-leaf revised edition designated by the President.
Therefore, its practical applicability is broad: courts must apply the proper law; lawyers must cite and rely on the authoritative text; and government agencies and members of the public must understand that the revised edition is the definitive version for those Acts. The Order’s effect is confined to the Acts in the Schedule, so it does not automatically alter other legislation not included.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is brief, it is highly significant for legal certainty. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate and authoritative legislative texts. When amendments are consolidated into revised editions, there can be confusion about which version is correct for interpretation. By declaring the loose-leaf editions to be the “sole and only proper law,” the Order removes ambiguity and supports consistent judicial reasoning.
For practitioners, the Order is important in at least three ways:
- Citation and reliance: When drafting pleadings, preparing submissions, or advising clients, lawyers must ensure they are using the correct authoritative text. The “sole and only proper law” designation supports reliance on the revised edition.
- Temporal application: The effective date (1 April 2006) helps determine which version applies to facts occurring before and after that date. This can be crucial in cases involving transitional issues, amendments, or changes in statutory wording.
- Litigation risk management: Using an outdated or non-authoritative version can lead to avoidable errors—particularly where statutory language has changed. This Order reduces that risk by formalising the authoritative text.
From an enforcement perspective, the Order itself does not create offences or regulatory obligations. However, it strengthens the enforceability of the law by ensuring that the legal system operates on a definitive legislative text. In that sense, it underpins the effective administration of justice.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 11(3) (authorising the President’s order designating the revised loose-leaf editions as the sole and only proper law)
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.