Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S31-2006
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Instrument Number: S 31/2006
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Commencement / Effective Date: 31 January 2006 (effect from 31st January 2006)
- Enacting Formula (Authorising Provision): Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Enacting Authority: President of Singapore (by order published in the Gazette)
- Key Document Reference: [AG/REV/ACTS/1/2004]
- Schedule: “Acts set out in the Schedule” (the specific Acts are not reproduced in the provided extract)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a formal “order” made by the President under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain language, it is not a regulatory scheme that creates new legal rights or obligations for the public. Instead, it is a legal mechanism that determines which version of certain Acts is to be treated as the authoritative law of Singapore in courts and for all legal purposes.
The order is linked to the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication of Acts in “loose-leaf form”. Loose-leaf editions are a method of publishing legislation that can be updated over time. The Commissioners publish the Acts “as in force” on a specified date, and then transmit copies of those loose-leaf editions to the President. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law for the listed Acts.
Accordingly, the core function of this order is to “lock in” the loose-leaf edition as the definitive legal text for the Acts named in the Schedule. From the effective date stated in the order (31 January 2006), courts and legal practitioners must treat the loose-leaf edition as the proper law of Singapore for those Acts, rather than relying on earlier printed or alternative versions.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Reliance on the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication (preamble). The order begins with recitals explaining the statutory process. It states that, 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 2nd January 2006”. This recital is important because it identifies the “as at” date for the content of the loose-leaf edition. Practitioners should understand that the authoritative text is based on the law as it stood on that date, subject to any later amendments that may be incorporated through the loose-leaf update mechanism.
2. Presidential power to designate the sole proper law (section 11(3) framework). The order then recites the statutory power: section 11(3) provides that the Commissioners shall transmit to the President a copy of each loose-leaf edition, and the President may, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be “in all courts and for all purposes, the sole and only proper law of Singapore” in respect of those Acts. This is the legal “switch” that converts a published edition into the authoritative legal text for judicial and administrative use.
3. The operative designation and effective date. The operative part of the order states that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall, with effect from 31st January 2006, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This is the key legal consequence. Once effective, the loose-leaf edition becomes the controlling version for interpretation, pleading, citation, and judicial determination. In practice, this reduces uncertainty about which text is authoritative when multiple publication formats exist.
4. Formalities: dating and signature. The order is dated 6 January 2006 and signed “By Command” by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore (LAU WAH MING). While this may appear administrative, it matters for legal validity. Orders under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act are formal instruments; their enforceability depends on compliance with the statutory process and publication requirements (including Gazette publication, as referenced in the preamble).
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a conventional format for presidential orders under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act:
(a) Title: “Order under Section 11(3)”.
(b) Status and versioning: The document indicates that it is the “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” and points users to the legislation timeline to ensure they view the correct version. This is relevant because subsidiary legislation may be amended or consolidated, and practitioners must rely on the correct version for citation.
(c) Enacting formula: The enacting formula sets out the legal basis and the statutory pathway from the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication to the President’s designation.
(d) The Schedule: The Schedule is referenced as containing the Acts to which the order applies. The provided extract does not list the Acts, but the Schedule is essential: the order’s effect is limited to the Acts “set out in the Schedule”.
(e) Operative clause: The operative clause is brief—designating the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law with effect from 31 January 2006.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the order is addressed to the legal system rather than to a class of regulated persons, it has practical applicability to everyone who uses the law in Singapore: courts, tribunals, government agencies, lawyers, and litigants. The order’s effect is that, for the Acts listed in the Schedule, the loose-leaf edition is the authoritative legal text “in all courts and for all purposes”.
In other words, the order applies indirectly to the public by ensuring that when rights and obligations arise under those Acts, the legal content applied by decision-makers is taken from the designated loose-leaf edition. Practitioners should therefore treat the order as a “citation and authority” instrument: it governs what text is proper to rely upon, rather than prescribing substantive conduct itself.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. It determines the authoritative legal text. In legal practice, the most immediate risk is citing or relying on an incorrect version of legislation. This order is designed to eliminate that risk for the Acts in the Schedule by declaring that the loose-leaf edition is the “sole and only proper law” from the effective date. That designation supports consistency in legal interpretation and reduces disputes about which version controls.
2. It supports legal certainty and court administration. Courts must apply the law as it stands. When legislation is published in multiple formats (for example, earlier editions, loose-leaf updates, or later consolidations), uncertainty can arise. By formalising the loose-leaf edition as the proper law, the order provides a clear reference point for judges and court officers. This is particularly important for litigation where the precise wording of provisions can affect outcomes.
3. It affects practitioners’ research and citation workflows. For lawyers, the order has a practical impact on how legislation is researched and cited. When preparing pleadings, submissions, or advice, practitioners should ensure they are using the authoritative version—especially when the relevant date of the dispute or the date of amendment matters. The order’s “as in force on 2nd January 2006” and “effective from 31st January 2006” dates are key anchors. They indicate the edition’s content baseline and the point at which it becomes the proper law.
4. It reflects the broader legislative maintenance system. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides a structured approach to keeping legislation current through revision and loose-leaf publication. This order is one step in that system. Understanding it helps practitioners appreciate that “proper law” is not merely about the statute’s existence, but also about the publication and designation mechanisms that make a particular edition legally authoritative.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3), which underpin the publication of loose-leaf editions and the President’s power to designate 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.