Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-OR16
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Enacting Formula: Presidential order made pursuant to section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275, Section 11(3))
- Gazette / Legal Instrument: G.N. No. S 537/1997
- Commencement / Effective Date: 20 December 1997 (as stated in the order)
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Legislative History (as shown):
- 20 Dec 1997: SL 537/1997
- 15 Jun 1998: 1998 RevEd (Revised Edition of the Laws Act)
- Key Provisions (from extract): The order declares that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule shall be “the sole and only proper law of Singapore” for all courts and purposes, with effect from 20 December 1997.
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 practical terms, it is not a substantive regulatory statute that creates new rights or obligations. Instead, it is a legal “versioning” and publication mechanism that determines which edition of certain Acts is treated as the authoritative law in Singapore.
The order is tied to the publication of laws in loose-leaf form by the Law Revision Commissioners. The extract indicates that the Commissioners published in loose-leaf form the Acts “as in force on 1st December 1997”. The President then has the power, by order published in the Gazette, to specify that the loose-leaf edition of those Acts shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
Accordingly, the core function of this order is to ensure certainty and consistency for courts, practitioners, and the public. It resolves the question: when multiple publications exist (e.g., earlier printed editions, loose-leaf updates, revised editions), which one counts as the proper law for legal proceedings? This order answers that question for the Acts listed in its Schedule, effective from 20 December 1997.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority and purpose clause (preamble). The order begins with recitals explaining the legislative pathway. It notes that, pursuant to section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners published in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule as in force on 1 December 1997. It then states that section 11(3) provides that the Commissioners shall transmit copies to the President, and that the President may, by Gazette order, specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
2. The operative declaration (“sole and only proper law”). The operative part provides that the President orders that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall, with effect from 20 December 1997, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This phrase is legally significant. It is designed to prevent arguments that an earlier or alternative publication is the “proper” law for court purposes. In other words, once the order takes effect, courts and legal actors should treat the specified loose-leaf edition as the authoritative text.
3. Gazette publication and effective date. The order is identified as G.N. No. S 537/1997 and is dated [20th December 1997]. The extract also shows the instrument is linked to the timeline of the 1998 Revised Edition (15 June 1998). For practitioners, the effective date matters because it determines when the “sole and only proper law” status attaches. If a dispute involves events occurring before and after 20 December 1997, counsel may need to consider whether the relevant statutory text changed between those dates, and—separately—what publication is authoritative for interpretation.
4. “Schedule” reference (scope depends on the Schedule). The extract refers to “the Acts set out in the Schedule” but does not reproduce the Schedule contents. This is a critical point for legal work: the order’s effect is limited to the Acts listed in that Schedule. Therefore, the practitioner’s task is not merely to read the order’s general declaration, but to confirm which specific Acts are included in the Schedule of this particular order. The Schedule determines the scope of the “sole and only proper law” designation.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is relatively short and procedural in nature. Based on the extract, it comprises:
(a) Title: “Order under Section 11(3)”.
(b) Status and publication metadata: indicating it is a current version as at 27 March 2026, with printing options (HTML/PDF/Word) and a legislative timeline.
(c) Enacting formula and preamble: setting out the legal basis (section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act) and the factual/legal context (publication of Acts in loose-leaf form as at 1 December 1997).
(d) THE SCHEDULE: referenced as the list of Acts to which the order applies. The Schedule is the substantive “scope” component, even though the extract does not display it.
(e) Legislative history: showing the instrument’s original Gazette publication (SL 537/1997) and the subsequent revised edition date (15 June 1998).
From a practitioner’s perspective, the “structure” is less about operational sections and more about publication mechanics: the order’s legal effect is triggered by the President’s declaration, and its reach is determined by the Schedule.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This order applies indirectly to everyone who relies on Singapore legislation in legal proceedings—most notably courts, lawyers, government agencies, and litigants. It does not impose regulatory duties on individuals or businesses. Instead, it governs which version of the law is treated as authoritative for “all courts and for all purposes” in respect of the Acts listed in the Schedule.
Because the order is directed at the legal system’s treatment of statutory texts, its practical applicability is broad even though its subject matter is narrow. Any case involving one of the Acts in the Schedule may require counsel to ensure that the correct authoritative text is used. This is especially relevant when multiple editions exist in circulation (e.g., earlier printed versions, loose-leaf updates, and revised editions).
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although this order is procedural, it is highly important for legal certainty. Singapore’s legal system depends on accurate statutory text. When laws are revised and republished, there is a risk of confusion about which publication is the “proper law.” The phrase “sole and only proper law” is designed to eliminate that uncertainty.
For practitioners, the order has at least three practical implications:
- Authoritative text for litigation: Counsel should rely on the loose-leaf edition designated by the order when citing the Acts covered by the Schedule, particularly for matters where the relevant period spans the effective date.
- Reduced disputes over statutory wording: By declaring a single proper law source, the order helps prevent procedural arguments that a different edition should govern interpretation.
- Research and citation discipline: When conducting legal research, lawyers must align their sources with the relevant “current version” and the correct historical version for the material time. The order’s existence underscores why legislative timelines and version control are essential.
Finally, the order illustrates the broader legislative architecture in Singapore: the Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides a framework for law revision and republication, while the President’s orders operationalise when a particular publication becomes the authoritative “proper law.” This ensures that the law remains accessible, updated, and reliably citable.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), in particular section 10 (publication of Acts in loose-leaf form) and section 11(3) (President’s power to designate the loose-leaf edition as 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.