Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-OR24
- Type: Subsidiary legislation / order (SL)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), Section 11(3)
- Enacting Formula (summary): President orders that specified loose-leaf editions become the sole and proper law of Singapore for the listed Acts
- Commencement / Effective date (from text): 31 July 2001 (with effect from 31st July 2001)
- Legislative instrument reference: Order under Section 11(3) — O 24
- Gazette / Notification reference (from text): G.N. No. S 350/2000
- Revised Edition reference: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275, Section 11(3)); Revised Edition 2002 (31 Jan 2002)
- Schedule: “THE SCHEDULE” (Acts set out in the Schedule are referenced, but the extract provided does not list them)
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 practical terms, it is not a substantive regulatory statute that creates new rights or offences. Instead, it is a legal “versioning” mechanism that determines which edition of certain Acts is to be treated as the authoritative law in courts and for all legal purposes.
The order is connected to the publication of laws in loose-leaf form by the Law Revision Commissioners. The extract states that, pursuant to section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Commissioners published in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule as in force on 30 June 2001. The President then, by order published in the Gazette, specifies that the loose-leaf edition of those Acts shall become 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 a particular compilation/edition of legislation. For practitioners, the key value is certainty: it tells you which text of the specified Acts should be relied upon in litigation, drafting, compliance, and legal research.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The President’s power under section 11(3)
The order is made “pursuant to section 11(3)” of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The extract explains the statutory pathway: the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in loose-leaf form (as at a specified cut-off date), transmit copies to the President, and the President may then issue a Gazette order specifying that the loose-leaf edition is the authoritative law.
2. The “sole and only proper law” effect
The most legally significant phrase in the extract is that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall, “in all courts and for all purposes, [be] the sole and only proper law of Singapore” in respect of those Acts. This language is designed to eliminate ambiguity between competing versions (for example, between earlier printed editions, loose-leaf updates, or other compilations). For litigation and advisory work, this provides a strong basis to argue that the specified loose-leaf edition is the controlling text.
3. Effective date: 31 July 2001
The order provides that the loose-leaf edition shall take effect with effect from 31 July 2001. This matters because it determines the temporal point at which the authoritative version changes. If a dispute involves events occurring before and after that date, counsel must be alert to which version of the Act applied at the relevant time, and whether any amendments between the cut-off dates are reflected in the loose-leaf edition.
4. The Schedule governs the scope of Acts
The instrument refers to “THE SCHEDULE” and indicates that the Acts set out there are the ones whose loose-leaf editions are being elevated to sole and proper law status. The extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents. In practice, a lawyer should consult the full document (including the Schedule) to identify exactly which Acts are covered. Without that list, it is impossible to determine the precise substantive statutes affected by the order.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is relatively brief and follows the typical format of an order under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act:
(a) Enacting formula
The enacting formula sets out the legal basis and the factual/legal background: the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication in loose-leaf form, the transmission to the President, and the President’s power to issue a Gazette order.
(b) The Schedule
The Schedule is the operative scope document. It identifies the Acts whose loose-leaf editions are being declared to be the sole and proper law. For practitioners, the Schedule is often the most important part because it determines which Acts are affected.
(c) Legislative history / versions
The extract includes a “Legislative History” and versioning information indicating a Revised Edition 2002 (31 January 2002) and an effective date of 31 July 2001. The platform also notes that the “current version” is as at 27 March 2026, and it directs users to check the legislation timeline to ensure they are viewing the correct version. This is particularly relevant for orders that may be consolidated, reissued, or updated in later revised editions.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This order applies to the legal system—specifically, it governs what constitutes the proper law of Singapore “in all courts and for all purposes” in relation to the Acts listed in the Schedule. While it does not impose obligations directly on individuals or businesses, its effect is felt by everyone who uses the law: litigants, counsel, judges, regulators, and corporate actors relying on statutory text.
In terms of practical applicability, the order matters whenever a lawyer needs to determine the authoritative version of the specified Acts. It is therefore relevant to (i) pleadings and submissions, (ii) statutory interpretation, (iii) compliance advice, and (iv) drafting of contracts or policies that incorporate statutory references.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although this order is procedural in nature, it is highly important for legal certainty. Singapore’s legal framework depends on accurate and authoritative legislative text. By declaring the loose-leaf edition as the “sole and only proper law” for the Acts in the Schedule, the President’s order reduces the risk of disputes arising from version mismatches—such as citing an outdated printed edition or relying on a text that is not the controlling compilation.
For practitioners, the order supports a disciplined approach to legal research. When advising clients or preparing court documents, counsel should ensure that the statutory provisions being cited correspond to the authoritative version effective at the relevant time. The effective date (31 July 2001) and the Schedule’s scope are central to that exercise.
Finally, the order illustrates how Singapore maintains the integrity of its legislative corpus through the Revised Edition process. Even where the substantive law remains unchanged, the publication and consolidation mechanism can affect what is treated as the proper law. In litigation, that can be decisive: the “proper law” doctrine helps courts determine which text governs, thereby strengthening predictability and reducing interpretive uncertainty.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) — particularly section 10 (publication in loose-leaf form) and section 11(3) (President’s order declaring the loose-leaf edition as sole and proper law)
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act — general provisions governing the Law Revision Commissioners’ role and the legal effect of revised editions
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.