Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-OR15
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Key Authorising Provision: Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Enacting Formula (summary): President orders that specified loose-leaf editions become the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the listed Acts
- Commencement / Effective Date (as stated): 30 May 1997
- Revised Edition Reference: Revised Edition of the Laws Act, 1998 Rev. Ed. (15 June 1998)
- Gazette / Notification Reference (as stated): G.N. No. S 250/1997
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Parts: Not applicable (order with a schedule and legislative history)
What Is This Legislation About?
This “Order under Section 11(3)” is a procedural and legal-technical instrument rather than a substantive regulatory statute. Its core function is to determine which version of certain Acts is to be treated as the authoritative “proper law” of Singapore in courts and for all legal purposes.
In plain language, the Order addresses a common problem in legal publishing and consolidation: when laws are republished in a revised edition (often in loose-leaf form for updating), there may be multiple “editions” or “versions” circulating. The law must be clear about which one counts as the official legal text. This Order resolves that by specifying that the loose-leaf editions of the Acts set out in the Schedule shall become the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
The Order is linked to the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). Under that framework, the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in loose-leaf form as they stand on a specified date. The President then issues an order—published in the Gazette—so that the loose-leaf editions are treated as the definitive legal texts in all courts and for all purposes. The present Order is therefore about legal certainty and the authoritative status of revised law publications.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The President’s power under Section 11(3) (authorisation and effect). The enacting formula makes clear that the President acts pursuant to section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The mechanism is: the Law Revision Commissioners publish the Acts in loose-leaf form as in force on a specified date; the Commissioners transmit copies to the President; and the President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that those loose-leaf editions shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of the Acts listed in the Schedule.
2. The “sole and only proper law” clause (legal certainty in litigation). The most important operative statement is that the loose-leaf editions of the Acts in the Schedule “shall, with effect from 30th May 1997, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This is a strong legal effect. It means that, for the specified Acts, courts and legal practitioners must treat the loose-leaf edition as the authoritative text, and not rely on earlier publications or alternative versions for determining the law.
3. Temporal effect (“with effect from 30th May 1997”). The Order specifies an effective date. Practically, this matters for transitional questions: conduct occurring before the effective date may require careful analysis as to which version of the law applied at the time. However, the Order’s “sole and only proper law” language generally governs the authoritative text for legal interpretation and application from the effective date onward, and it may also affect how courts cite and treat the law in subsequent proceedings.
4. The Schedule (scope of Acts covered). The extract provided indicates that the Schedule contains the Acts set out in the loose-leaf edition. While the actual list of Acts is not reproduced in the extract, the legal significance is clear: the Order’s effect is limited to the Acts enumerated in the Schedule. For practitioners, the Schedule is the gateway to determining whether a particular Act is covered by this “sole and only proper law” designation.
5. Legislative history and publication context (1998 Rev. Ed.). The legislative history references a Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) and a specific Gazette notification (G.N. No. S 250/1997). It also notes the Revised Edition 1998 (15th June 1998) and the date the Acts were “as in force on 5th May 1997.” This context is important when advising on which consolidated text reflects the law at the relevant cut-off date, and when reconciling the revised edition with subsequent amendments.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is relatively simple. It is an Order made under a specific enabling provision (Section 11(3) of Cap. 275). It contains:
(a) An enacting formula setting out the legal basis and the rationale (publication of loose-leaf Acts by the Law Revision Commissioners; transmission to the President; Gazette publication; and the President’s order).
(b) A “THE SCHEDULE” which identifies the Acts to which the Order applies. The Schedule is the practical determinant of scope.
(c) Legislative history indicating the versioning and the revised edition context (including the 1998 Revised Edition reference and the Gazette notification).
There are no “Parts” or “sections” in the usual regulatory sense because the instrument is not designed to impose substantive obligations. Instead, it functions as a legal publication/authorisation device.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Order does not apply to a class of persons in the way that regulatory statutes do (e.g., “licensees,” “employers,” or “consumers”). Rather, it applies to the legal system’s treatment of certain Acts. Its primary “audience” is therefore the judiciary, legal practitioners, and anyone who must determine the authoritative text of the Acts listed in the Schedule.
In practical terms, the Order affects how lawyers cite legislation, how courts interpret and apply the law, and how legal research platforms and practitioners ensure they are using the correct version. If an Act is included in the Schedule, the loose-leaf edition specified by the Order becomes the sole and only proper law of Singapore for that Act, subject to later amendments that may supersede parts of it.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is brief, it plays a critical role in maintaining legal certainty. Singapore’s legislative framework relies on accurate, authoritative texts. When laws are republished in revised editions, there is a risk that different versions could be cited or relied upon. The “sole and only proper law” language eliminates ambiguity by establishing a definitive legal text for the Acts covered.
For practitioners, the Order is particularly important in three scenarios:
(1) Legislative research and citation. When preparing pleadings, submissions, or legal opinions, lawyers must ensure they cite the correct authoritative text. The Order supports the proposition that the loose-leaf edition is the proper law for the specified Acts, which can affect the wording of provisions, numbering, and consolidation.
(2) Version control and amendments. The Order is tied to a cut-off date (“as in force on 5th May 1997”) and an effective date (“30th May 1997”). Later amendments may change the law. Lawyers must therefore distinguish between (i) the authoritative baseline text established by the Order and (ii) subsequent amendments that modify that baseline.
(3) Court treatment of the law. Courts must apply the law as it stands. The Order ensures that, for the Acts in the Schedule, the loose-leaf edition is the authoritative reference point. This reduces disputes about which publication should be treated as the governing text.
Finally, the Order illustrates an important feature of Singapore’s legislative infrastructure: the legal system not only enacts substantive rules but also maintains the integrity of legal texts through formal publication and authorisation mechanisms. While this Order does not regulate conduct directly, it underpins the reliability of the legal system’s primary sources.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), in particular Section 11(3)
- G.N. No. S 250/1997 (Gazette notification referenced in the legislative history)
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.