Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S691-2007
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Enacting Instrument: Order by the President of Singapore
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Legal Basis: Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Gazette / Instrument Number: No. S 691
- Date of Enactment: Dated 6 December 2007
- Commencement / Effect: With effect from 1 January 2008
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Schedule: Acts listed in Part I and Part II of “THE SCHEDULE” (not reproduced in the extract)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a Presidential order made under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). In plain terms, it is about legal certainty: it determines which version of certain Acts is to be treated as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
The order is linked to the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication of Acts in a “loose-leaf” format. Loose-leaf editions are typically updated and maintained to reflect amendments and revisions. The order addresses a practical problem that arises when multiple versions of legislation exist in circulation: lawyers, courts, and government bodies need to know which text is authoritative.
Accordingly, the order provides that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts specified in the Schedule becomes, with effect from 1 January 2008, the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This ensures that when a case is argued or a legal opinion is prepared, the relevant statutory text is the one that the legal system recognises as authoritative.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “loose-leaf” editions and the two-part Schedule. The preamble explains 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 Part I of the Schedule as in force on 1 December 2007, and the Act set out in Part II as in force on 1 January 2008. This matters because it indicates that the Schedule is not a generic reference; it is tied to specific “as at” dates for the Acts’ content.
For practitioners, the practical takeaway is that the authoritative text for each Act in the Schedule is anchored to the relevant “as at” date stated in the preamble. When advising clients or preparing submissions, counsel should ensure that the version consulted corresponds to the loose-leaf edition that the President has designated as proper law.
2. The President’s power under section 11(3). The order relies on the statutory mechanism in section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The preamble states that 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 shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
This is a significant legal step: it transforms the loose-leaf publication from a revision format into the legally authoritative text for court use and “all purposes”. In other words, the order is not merely administrative; it has substantive legal effect on how the law is identified and applied.
3. The operative clause: “sole and only proper law”. The core operative provision is the President’s order that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts shall, with effect from 1 January 2008, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
The phrase “sole and only proper law” is deliberately strong. It is designed to eliminate ambiguity about which statutory text governs. For litigation and compliance, this reduces the risk that parties rely on outdated printings, unofficial compilations, or earlier revised editions that may no longer be the authoritative version.
4. Effective date and legal continuity. The order is dated 6 December 2007, but it takes effect on 1 January 2008. This timing is typical for legal revisions: it allows the legal community to transition between versions at a clear cut-off date. Practitioners should therefore pay attention to whether the relevant events, causes of action, or regulatory periods fall before or after 1 January 2008, because the authoritative text for the Acts in the Schedule changes at that date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is relatively short and is organised around the Schedule and the enacting formula. The extract indicates that the key content is contained in:
- The Enacting Formula (the formal legal basis and authority for the order);
- THE SCHEDULE (listing the Acts covered, divided into Part I and Part II); and
- The Operative Order (the President’s direction that the loose-leaf editions become the sole and only proper law from 1 January 2008).
Although the extract does not reproduce the specific Acts listed in the Schedule, the Schedule is central: it defines the scope of which Acts are affected by the “sole and only proper law” designation. In practice, a lawyer would consult the full text of the Schedule to identify the exact Acts and then cross-check the relevant provisions within those Acts as they appear in the loose-leaf edition.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This order does not apply to a particular class of persons (such as employers, licensees, or offences). Instead, it applies to the legal system’s use of certain Acts. Its effect is directed at how the Acts specified in the Schedule are to be treated in all courts and for all purposes.
Accordingly, the practical “audience” includes:
- Courts (which must treat the loose-leaf edition as authoritative);
- Legal practitioners (who must cite and rely on the proper law text);
- Government agencies (which must apply the correct statutory text in enforcement and administration); and
- Members of the public and regulated entities (indirectly, because the authoritative text governs rights, obligations, and compliance).
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the instrument is brief, it plays an important role in the integrity and reliability of Singapore’s legal framework. Legal practice depends on accurate statutory citation. When multiple versions of legislation exist—such as earlier editions, loose-leaf updates, or unofficial compilations—uncertainty can arise. This order resolves that uncertainty by designating the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law for the specified Acts.
From a litigation perspective, the order reduces procedural and substantive risk. Counsel can focus on interpreting the law rather than disputing which version is authoritative. It also supports consistent judicial reasoning: courts can rely on a single, designated statutory text when determining the meaning and application of provisions.
From a compliance and advisory perspective, the effective date (1 January 2008) is crucial. If an issue arises from conduct occurring around that date, practitioners must ensure that they are applying the correct version of the Acts. Even where amendments are not obvious, the authoritative text may incorporate revisions, consolidation changes, or updated numbering and formatting that can affect how provisions are located and interpreted.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3)
- Acts listed in THE SCHEDULE (Part I and Part II) — the specific Acts covered by this Presidential order
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.