Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S467-2005
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Key Legal Provision (Authorising): Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Enacting Formula: President’s order made pursuant to the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation record)
- Publication / Instrument Number: No. S 467
- Instrument Date: Dated 7 July 2005
- Commencement / Effective Date: With effect from 31 July 2005
- Schedule: Acts set out in the Schedule (Acts published in loose-leaf form as at 1 July 2005)
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 creates new rights or offences. Instead, it determines which version of certain Acts will be treated as the authoritative “proper law” of Singapore for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
The order is linked to a law revision process. Under section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners publish selected Acts in a loose-leaf format, reflecting the Acts “as in force on 1st July 2005”. The loose-leaf publication is a transitional mechanism used during legal consolidation and revision.
Section 11(3) then empowers the President, by order published in the Gazette, to specify that the loose-leaf edition of those Acts shall become the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This order is the mechanism that “locks in” the loose-leaf edition as the definitive legal text for legal proceedings and official interpretation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Identification of the Acts covered (via the Schedule). The order is structured around a Schedule listing the Acts that were published in loose-leaf form by the Law Revision Commissioners. Although the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule’s contents, the legal effect is clear: the order applies to “the Acts set out in the Schedule” that were published as at 1 July 2005.
2. The “proper law” designation. The central operative statement is that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule “shall, with effect from 31st July 2005, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore” in respect of those Acts. This is a powerful legal clarification. It means that, for courts and for all purposes, the loose-leaf edition is treated as the authoritative legal text, displacing other competing references (such as earlier consolidated editions or unofficial reproductions).
3. Gazette publication and presidential authority. The order is made “by order published in the Gazette” and is expressly framed as being “hereby ordered by the President.” This reflects the constitutional and statutory design: the President’s order provides formal legal certainty and ensures uniformity in how the law is cited and applied.
4. Effective date and continuity. The order specifies a commencement/effective date: “with effect from 31st July 2005.” This date matters for practitioners because it determines when the loose-leaf edition becomes the sole proper law. For cases, legal advice, and compliance work, counsel must ensure that citations and interpretations rely on the version that is proper for the relevant time period. Where a dispute spans dates before and after 31 July 2005, the practitioner may need to consider which legal text was proper at each stage, particularly if amendments or revisions were incorporated into the loose-leaf edition.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Although the instrument is brief in the extract, its structure follows a standard pattern for presidential orders under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act:
(a) Enacting formula. The order begins with a formal enacting formula and recitals (“Whereas…”). These recitals explain the statutory background: the Law Revision Commissioners have published Acts in loose-leaf form pursuant to section 10, and section 11(3) allows the President to designate the loose-leaf editions as the sole proper law.
(b) Operative provision. The operative paragraph states the legal consequence: the loose-leaf edition becomes the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the Acts in the Schedule, effective from 31 July 2005.
(c) The Schedule. The Schedule is the key structural element that defines the scope. It lists the Acts to which the order applies. In practice, the Schedule is where a lawyer will confirm whether a particular Act is covered by the order.
(d) Date and signature block. The order is dated 7 July 2005 and signed by the relevant Cabinet Secretary “By Command,” reflecting the formal execution of presidential orders.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This order applies to the legal system—courts, tribunals, government agencies, and private parties—because it determines the authoritative legal text for the Acts listed in the Schedule. In other words, it applies indirectly to everyone who relies on those Acts: litigants, counsel, regulators, and administrators.
More specifically, the order affects how the law is cited and treated. When a lawyer cites an Act that is covered by the Schedule, the “proper law” requirement means that the loose-leaf edition is the definitive reference. This is particularly important for legal drafting, statutory interpretation, and litigation strategy, where accuracy of the governing text is essential.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the order does not create new substantive rules, it is crucial for legal certainty. Singapore’s legal framework depends on authoritative texts. When the Law Revision Commissioners publish revised Acts in loose-leaf form, there must be a formal mechanism to ensure that the revised text is treated as the official law. This order provides that mechanism by designating the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law for the covered Acts.
For practitioners, the practical impact is significant in three main ways:
First, citation reliability. Lawyers must cite the correct version of an Act. The “sole and only proper law” language reduces ambiguity and helps ensure that courts interpret the governing provisions based on the authoritative text.
Second, litigation risk management. If a practitioner were to rely on an outdated or unofficial version, there is a risk that the court may treat it as non-authoritative. While courts may still consider historical texts for context, the “proper law” designation strengthens the argument that the loose-leaf edition is the controlling reference.
Third, interpretive consistency. Statutory interpretation often turns on the exact wording of provisions. By making the loose-leaf edition the sole proper law, the order promotes consistency in interpretation across cases and across time.
Finally, the order’s effective date (31 July 2005) is a reminder that legal authority can change at specific points in time. In matters involving events around that period, counsel should verify which version of the Act was proper at the relevant time and ensure that any reliance on legislative text aligns with the effective date.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular, sections 10 and 11(3) (authorising the loose-leaf publication and the President’s “proper law” designation)
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.