Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S344-2003
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Legislative Instrument: Presidential Order
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Commencement / Effective Date: 31 July 2003
- Gazette Publication Mechanism: Order published in the Gazette
- Key Provision (as referenced): Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Schedule: Specifies the Acts covered by the Order (Acts set out in the Schedule)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Instrument Date: Dated 8 July 2003
- Instrument Number: S 344/2003
- Revised Edition Reference: Loose-leaf editions of Acts “as in force on 30 June 2003”
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 is a legal mechanism that determines which version of certain Acts is to be treated as the authoritative “proper law” of Singapore for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
The Order is tied to the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication of a revised set of Acts in loose-leaf form. The Commissioners publish the Acts “as in force on 30 June 2003”. The President then has the power—upon receiving copies of those loose-leaf editions—to specify, by Order published in the Gazette, that the loose-leaf editions are to be treated as the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of the Acts listed in the Schedule.
Accordingly, the core function of this Order is to “lock in” the loose-leaf revised editions as the authoritative legal text. For practitioners, this matters because the courts and legal processes require certainty about which text controls—especially where there may be multiple versions in circulation (e.g., earlier printed editions, amendments, or interim updates). This Order provides that certainty for the Acts covered by the Schedule, effective from 31 July 2003.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Reliance on the Law Revision Commissioners’ loose-leaf publication
The Enacting Formula records 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 30 June 2003. This establishes the factual and legal foundation for the Presidential action: the loose-leaf editions exist and represent the Acts in force at a specified cut-off date.
2. Presidential power under section 11(3) to designate the “sole and only proper law”
The Order then invokes section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. Under that provision, the Commissioners must transmit to the President a copy of each loose-leaf edition of the Acts. The President may then, by Order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition of these Acts shall be, “in all courts and for all purposes”, the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
3. The operative designation and effective date
The operative part of the Order states that the loose-leaf editions of the Acts in the Schedule “shall, with effect from 31st July 2003, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This is the key legal consequence. From that effective date, the loose-leaf revised editions become the controlling legal texts for the specified Acts.
4. Formalities and authentication
The Order is dated 8 July 2003 and signed “By Command” by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore (ONG KOK MIN). While these details are procedural, they are important for practitioners verifying authenticity and ensuring correct citation. The instrument also includes a reference “[AG/REV/ED/1/2003]”, which can assist with archival retrieval and cross-referencing.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a way typical of designation orders under the Revised Edition framework. It contains:
(a) Enacting Formula — The “Whereas” clauses explain the background: the Law Revision Commissioners’ loose-leaf publication under section 10, and the President’s power under section 11(3) to designate the loose-leaf editions as the sole and only proper law.
(b) The Schedule — The Schedule is central because it identifies the specific Acts covered by the Order. The operative effect applies to “the Acts set out in the Schedule”. In practice, a lawyer must consult the Schedule to determine which statutes are affected.
(c) Operative clause — The Order’s main legal effect is contained in the statement that the loose-leaf editions shall be the sole and only proper law, effective from 31 July 2003.
(d) Date and signature — The instrument is dated and signed in accordance with the formal requirements for Presidential Orders.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule and, by extension, to all persons and institutions that rely on those Acts as authoritative law. The Enacting Formula expressly states that the designation is to operate “in all courts and for all purposes.” That language is broad: it covers judicial proceedings, administrative enforcement, legal advice, and any other context where the “proper law” of Singapore must be identified.
For practitioners, the practical “who” is therefore everyone who uses the listed Acts: judges, magistrates, lawyers, government agencies, and private parties. The Order does not impose obligations directly on individuals; rather, it determines the authoritative legal text that governs how obligations, powers, procedures, and offences under the listed Acts are interpreted and applied.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. It provides textual certainty and reduces legal ambiguity
In legal practice, the most dangerous uncertainty is not merely what the law “means”, but what the law “is” at the relevant time. Where there are multiple editions or versions of legislation, disputes can arise about which text is authoritative—particularly if amendments have been made but not yet consolidated into a single official publication.
This Order resolves that issue for the Acts in the Schedule by designating the loose-leaf revised editions as the “sole and only proper law” from 31 July 2003. That designation supports consistent interpretation across courts and legal forums, and it reduces the risk of arguments based on outdated or unofficial compilations.
2. It affects how lawyers cite and rely on statutory provisions
Although the Order itself is procedural, it has direct consequences for legal research and citation. When advising clients or preparing submissions, lawyers must ensure they are relying on the authoritative text. After the effective date, the loose-leaf revised editions become the controlling reference point for the listed Acts. This can influence how counsel drafts pleadings, constructs arguments, and identifies the correct wording of provisions.
3. It supports the integrity of the Revised Edition system
Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws framework is designed to keep legislation consolidated and accessible. The Law Revision Commissioners’ role is to publish Acts in a consolidated form “as in force” at a specified date. The President’s designation under section 11(3) ensures that the consolidated form is not merely a convenience, but the legally authoritative text. This strengthens the rule of law by ensuring that the official legislative corpus is stable and reliably ascertainable.
4. It has continuing relevance even though it is not “substantive”
The instrument is marked as “Current version as at 27 Mar 2026”. That does not mean it is frequently amended; rather, it indicates that the designation remains part of the current legal landscape for the relevant Acts. For practitioners, this means that the authority of the revised editions should be treated as settled, and research should focus on the designated proper law texts for the Acts in the Schedule.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3), which provide the framework for loose-leaf publication and Presidential designation of 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.