Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S119-2007
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Commencement / Effective Date: 31 March 2007
- Enacting Formula (Summary): President’s order made pursuant to section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Legal Mechanism: Designation of loose-leaf editions as the “sole and only proper law” of Singapore for specified Acts
- Schedule: The Acts “set out in the Schedule” (not reproduced in the extract provided)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a Presidential order made under section 11(3) of Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In practical terms, it is not a “substantive” law that changes rights or obligations. Instead, it performs an important legal housekeeping function: it determines which version of certain Acts will be treated as the authoritative law in courts and for all legal purposes.
The order is tied to the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication of Acts in “loose-leaf form”. Loose-leaf editions are typically used to facilitate updates and amendments. However, for legal certainty, the legal system must clearly identify which edition counts as the proper law. This order addresses that need by allowing the President to specify that the loose-leaf editions of the Acts listed in the Schedule shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
Accordingly, the core “subject matter” of this order is the legal status of the loose-leaf editions of specified Acts as at a particular date. The order states that, with effect from 31 March 2007, the loose-leaf editions set out in the Schedule become the sole and only proper law for all courts and purposes.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory basis: section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The order is made “pursuant to section 11(3)” of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The enacting formula explains the legislative pathway: the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in loose-leaf form (as in force on a specified date), and then transmit copies to the President. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that those loose-leaf editions are the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the relevant Acts.
2. The “sole and only proper law” designation
The most legally significant phrase is that the loose-leaf editions shall be the “sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts”. This language is designed to eliminate ambiguity about which text is authoritative. In litigation, practitioners need to know which version of an Act the court will treat as legally binding. By declaring the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, the order ensures that courts and legal actors rely on that edition rather than earlier printed versions or other unofficial compilations.
3. Effective date: 31 March 2007
The order provides that the loose-leaf editions shall take effect from 31 March 2007. This matters for transitional issues: if a dispute arises around the date when the authoritative text changes, counsel must be alert to which version applies to the relevant time period. While the order itself is about the authoritative text for “all courts and for all purposes,” the effective date still serves as a reference point for determining which edition is the proper law from that date forward.
4. Gazette publication and formalities
The enacting formula indicates that the President’s specification must be “by order published in the Gazette.” This is a procedural safeguard ensuring public notice and official publication. The order is dated 15 March 2007 and signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet on behalf of the President (“By Command, LAU WAH MING, Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore”). These formalities reinforce that the instrument is an official legal act, not merely an administrative direction.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a conventional format for orders made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. It contains:
(a) An enacting formula setting out the legal rationale and statutory authority;
(b) A short operative provision stating the effect of the order (the loose-leaf editions become the sole and only proper law); and
(c) A Schedule listing the Acts to which the order applies.
In the extract provided, the Schedule is referenced but not reproduced. For a practitioner, the Schedule is crucial because it identifies the specific Acts whose loose-leaf editions are being designated as the authoritative “proper law.” Without the Schedule, one cannot determine the exact set of Acts covered by this order. In practice, lawyers should consult the full “whole document” view or the “provisions”/“schedule” section in the legislation portal to identify the Acts.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. Its effect is not limited to a particular class of persons (such as regulated entities or individuals). Instead, it applies to the legal system: it governs what text will be treated as the proper law in all courts and for all purposes in respect of those Acts.
Practically, the order affects lawyers, judges, and litigants by determining the authoritative legislative text to cite and rely on. It also affects government agencies and compliance teams that interpret statutory obligations, because the “proper law” designation influences which version controls for legal interpretation and enforcement.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although this order is brief, it is legally significant because it underpins certainty and uniformity in statutory interpretation. Singapore’s legal practice depends on accurate citation of the authoritative text of legislation. When legislation is republished in revised formats (such as loose-leaf editions), there is a risk that different stakeholders might rely on different versions. The “sole and only proper law” mechanism removes that risk.
For practitioners, the order has immediate practical consequences:
- Citation accuracy: When drafting pleadings, preparing submissions, or advising clients, counsel must cite the proper authoritative version. This order supports that by designating the loose-leaf edition as the controlling text for the listed Acts.
- Litigation readiness: In court, the authoritative text is essential for statutory interpretation. The order strengthens the position that courts will treat the loose-leaf edition as the definitive legal source.
- Compliance and enforcement: Agencies and regulated entities must interpret statutory duties using the proper law. Even if the substantive provisions are unchanged, the authoritative format matters for correct legal referencing.
Finally, the order illustrates an important feature of Singapore’s legislative infrastructure: the legal system uses formal instruments to manage how revised editions become authoritative. This is particularly relevant in jurisdictions where legislation is updated through consolidation, revision, and re-publication. Lawyers should therefore treat such orders as part of the “source of law” framework, not as mere administrative formalities.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 11(3), which authorises the President to designate loose-leaf editions as the sole and only proper law.
- Acts listed in the Schedule — the substantive legislation to which this order relates (to be identified from the Schedule in the full document).
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.