Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S429-2006
- Type: Subordinate legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Legislative Instrument: Order made by the President
- Enacting Formula: President’s order pursuant to section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Key Mechanism: Designates a “loose-leaf edition” as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for specified Acts
- Commencement / Effective Date: 31 July 2006
- Gazette Reference (as shown): SL 429/2006
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the extract)
- Schedule: Acts “set out in the Schedule” (not reproduced in the extract)
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 terms, it is part of Singapore’s legal consolidation and revision process: when the Law Revision Commissioners publish a revised set of Acts in loose-leaf form, the President can formally designate that loose-leaf edition as the authoritative legal text.
The practical effect is straightforward but extremely important for legal certainty. Once the order takes effect, the specified loose-leaf editions become the “sole and only proper law of Singapore” for the Acts listed in the Schedule. That means courts and legal practitioners should treat those revised loose-leaf versions as the definitive source of the law for all purposes.
Although the extract does not list the Acts in the Schedule, the structure and enacting formula indicate that the order is tied to a particular revision cycle “as in force on 1st July 2006”. The order then provides that, effective 31 July 2006, the loose-leaf edition is the proper law for the relevant Acts.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory “trigger” and purpose (preamble)
The order’s recitals explain the legal background. First, pursuant to section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule “as in force on 1st July 2006”. Second, section 11(3) provides that the Commissioners shall transmit to the President a copy of each loose-leaf edition, and the President may then issue an order published in the Gazette specifying that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
2. The operative designation: “sole and only proper law”
The core operative clause is the President’s order that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule “shall, with effect from 31st July 2006, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This language is designed to eliminate ambiguity about which version of the law should be treated as authoritative.
From a practitioner’s perspective, this is not merely administrative. It affects how legal texts are cited, how legal research is conducted, and how arguments about the “current” or “proper” law are framed. If there is any discrepancy between older printed editions, unofficial compilations, or other reference materials, the order supports the position that the designated loose-leaf edition is the proper law for the specified Acts as at the effective date.
3. Effective date and legal continuity
The order specifies a clear effective date: “with effect from 31st July 2006.” This date matters because it marks the point at which the loose-leaf edition becomes the sole and only proper law. In practice, lawyers often need to determine which version of the law applies to conduct occurring before and after a given date, particularly where amendments or revisions are introduced. Even where substantive amendments are not at issue, the revision process can affect how the law is presented and consolidated.
4. Formalities: date, signature, and Gazette publication
The order is dated “10th day of July 2006” and signed by “LAU WAH MING, Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore” by command. The enacting formula also references publication in the Gazette. These formalities are relevant because they confirm that the order is properly made under the statutory scheme and that it has been promulgated in the manner required for it to have legal effect.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, the instrument is concise and follows a standard pattern for Presidential orders under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The extract shows:
(a) Enacting formula — The legal basis and authority are stated, including the reference to section 11(3) and the role of the Law Revision Commissioners under section 10.
(b) The Schedule — The Schedule is central because it identifies the specific Acts covered by the order. While the extract does not reproduce the Schedule contents, the Schedule determines the scope of the “sole and only proper law” designation.
(c) Operative clause — The order’s main effect is contained in a single, decisive statement: the loose-leaf edition becomes the sole and only proper law for the Acts in the Schedule, effective 31 July 2006.
(d) Administrative metadata — The instrument includes status information (“current version as at 27 Mar 2026”) and a timeline reference (SL 429/2006 dated 31 Jul 2006). These features assist users in confirming they are viewing the correct version.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This order applies to the legal system—particularly courts, legal practitioners, and anyone who must ascertain the authoritative text of the Acts listed in the Schedule. It does not impose regulatory obligations on the public in the way that a typical regulatory statute might. Instead, it governs which version of the law is proper for those Acts.
In terms of practical applicability, the order affects:
- Courts determining the applicable law for cases involving the specified Acts;
- Lawyers and legal researchers citing and relying on the correct authoritative text;
- Government agencies applying the law as the “proper law” source for enforcement and decision-making.
Because the order is tied to a revision cycle “as in force on 1st July 2006,” its scope is anchored to that revision’s content and the effective date of 31 July 2006. The Schedule therefore determines the precise set of Acts affected.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the order is brief, it is foundational to legal certainty. Singapore’s legal framework relies on accurate, authoritative versions of Acts. Over time, laws are amended, consolidated, and revised. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides a mechanism to publish revised editions in loose-leaf form and then to have the President designate those editions as the sole and only proper law for specified Acts.
For practitioners, the importance lies in reducing citation and interpretation risk. If a lawyer relies on an outdated edition or an unofficial compilation, there is a risk—however small—that the text may not match the “proper law” designated by the President. This order supports the argument that, for the Acts in the Schedule, the loose-leaf edition is the definitive legal text for all courts and all purposes.
From an enforcement and compliance standpoint, the order also supports consistent application. Agencies and decision-makers must apply the law as it stands in the authoritative version. By designating the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, the order helps ensure that administrative decisions and judicial reasoning are grounded in the correct legal text.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — In particular, sections 10 and 11(3), which provide the statutory framework for the Law Revision Commissioners’ loose-leaf publication and the President’s designation of the 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.