Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S250-1997
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Legislative Instrument: Order by the President
- Commencement / Effective Date: 30 May 1997
- Gazette Publication: Order published in the Gazette (as indicated by the enacting formula)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Provision (as referenced): Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Schedule: “THE SCHEDULE” (Acts set out in the Schedule)
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 language, it is the legal mechanism by which Singapore confirms that a particular loose-leaf revised edition of specified Acts will be treated as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
The Order is closely tied to the work of the Law Revision Commissioners. Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Commissioners publish Acts in a loose-leaf format “as in force” on a specified date. The President’s order then determines the legal status of that loose-leaf publication—ensuring that courts and legal practitioners rely on one authoritative version.
Although the text excerpt provided does not reproduce the full list of Acts in the Schedule, the legal effect is clear: from 30 May 1997, the loose-leaf edition of the Acts identified in the Schedule becomes the definitive legal text for use “in all courts and for all purposes” in relation to those Acts.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “sole and only proper law” declaration (core operative effect)
The central operative provision is the President’s order that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule shall, with effect from 30 May 1997, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This is a strong legal formulation. It is designed to eliminate uncertainty about which version of the law is authoritative—particularly where multiple editions or reprints may exist.
2. Reliance on the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication
The enacting formula explains the procedural background: 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 5th May 1997.” The President’s order is therefore not created in a vacuum; it is the final step that gives legal force to the Commissioners’ revised compilation.
3. Transmission to the President and the President’s discretion under section 11(3)
The Order also reflects the statutory pathway under section 11(3): the Commissioners transmit a copy of each loose-leaf edition to the President. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law. In practice, this means the President’s order is the formal act that “locks in” the revised edition as the authoritative legal text.
4. Effective date and legal continuity
The Order is dated 29 April 1997 but takes effect on 30 May 1997. This gap is typical for legislative instruments: it provides time for publication, dissemination, and transition in legal practice. For practitioners, the effective date matters because it determines when the revised loose-leaf edition becomes the controlling reference for interpretation and application in court.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a manner typical of orders made under a parent statute. It contains:
(a) Enacting formula: The preamble (“Whereas…” clauses) sets out the legal basis and factual background—namely, the Commissioners’ publication under section 10 and the President’s authority under section 11(3).
(b) The operative part: The President’s order that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule becomes the sole and only proper law from the specified effective date.
(c) The Schedule: While the excerpt labels “THE SCHEDULE,” it does not show the list of Acts. In the full instrument, the Schedule would identify the specific Acts covered by the order. The Schedule is therefore essential for determining the scope of the legal effect.
(d) Formalities: The instrument includes the date of signing and the signatory (the Secretary to the Cabinet, by command), along with the reference code “[AG/REV/ED/275/1].” These elements confirm the instrument’s administrative and constitutional form.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies indirectly to the public and directly to the legal system’s use of the specified Acts. Its primary function is to determine what constitutes the authoritative legal text for those Acts. Therefore, it affects:
(i) Courts—because it states that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law “in all courts”; and
(ii) Legal practitioners and government agencies—because the same phrase extends the authoritative status “for all purposes.”
In terms of subject matter, the Order does not regulate conduct by itself (unlike substantive Acts). Instead, it governs legal referencing and proof of the law by establishing which version is authoritative for the Acts listed in the Schedule.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
For practitioners, this Order is important because it addresses a practical and potentially high-stakes issue: which text of an Act is legally authoritative. In legal practice, especially in litigation and statutory interpretation, counsel must cite the correct version of the law. If different editions exist, disputes could arise about whether amendments, revisions, or consolidation changes are reflected in the version being relied upon.
By declaring the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law from a specified date, the Order provides certainty. It supports consistent judicial interpretation and reduces the risk of procedural or substantive arguments based on textual discrepancies between editions.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the Order also supports the integrity of the legal system’s “chain of authority.” The Law Revision Commissioners’ work under section 10 ensures that the revised compilation reflects the law “as in force” on the relevant date. The President’s order under section 11(3) then ensures that this compilation is the definitive reference point for courts and all other legal purposes.
Finally, the instrument’s “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” status indicates that the Order remains part of the legal landscape and continues to be relevant for determining the authoritative status of the specified Acts as of its effective date and any subsequent revisions reflected in the legal database. Even where the substantive Acts themselves have been amended over time, the mechanism established by this Order remains a key feature of Singapore’s legislative revision framework.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3)
- Acts set out in the Schedule (not reproduced in the excerpt provided) — the specific Acts whose loose-leaf revised editions are made 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.