Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S682-2006
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Document Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Legislative Instrument Date: 11 December 2006
- Commencement / Effective Date: 31 December 2006
- SL Number: SL 682/2006
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Key Legal Mechanism: President’s order under section 11(3) to designate a revised loose-leaf edition as the sole and proper law for courts and all purposes
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 not a substantive law that creates new rights or offences. Instead, it is a legal “publication and validation” mechanism: it determines which version of certain Acts will be treated as the authoritative law of Singapore for all legal purposes.
The order is tied to the Law Revision Commissioners’ work. Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Commissioners publish selected Acts in a loose-leaf format “as in force” at a specified date. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition of those Acts shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts—meaning courts and practitioners must rely on that edition as the definitive legal text.
Accordingly, the practical subject of this legislation is legal certainty in the form of an official consolidation/revision publication. It ensures that, from the effective date (31 December 2006), the loose-leaf revised edition becomes the authoritative legal reference for the listed Acts in the Schedule.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory preconditions (recitals / “Whereas” clauses). The order begins with recitals that explain the legal pathway. It states 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 1 December 2006. This matters because the President’s power under section 11(3) depends on the existence of that loose-leaf publication.
2. The President’s designation power under section 11(3). The order then explains the core authority: section 11(3) provides that the Commissioners shall 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 in respect of those Acts. This is the legal “switch” that transforms a publication into the definitive legal text.
3. The operative clause: “sole and only proper law”. The operative part provides that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts (as set out in the Schedule) shall, with effect from 31 December 2006, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. For practitioners, this phrase is critical. It signals that, for the Acts covered, other sources or earlier versions should not be treated as authoritative “proper law” in court proceedings or for legal purposes.
4. Formalities: dating and execution. The order is dated 11 December 2006 and signed “By Command” by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore (LAU WAH MING). It also includes an internal reference “[AG/REV/ACTS/1/2004]”, which typically corresponds to the administrative file for the revision exercise. While these details may not affect substantive interpretation, they are important for document traceability and for confirming the instrument’s authenticity and provenance.
Note on the Schedule. The extract provided shows “THE SCHEDULE” but does not list the Acts. In practice, the Schedule is the decisive element for determining which Acts are covered by the “sole and only proper law” designation. A lawyer should therefore consult the full text of SL 682/2006 to identify the specific Acts included in the Schedule.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short presidential order with:
(a) An enacting formula (the formal legal basis and authority);
(b) Recitals (“Whereas” clauses) explaining the background—namely the Law Revision Commissioners’ loose-leaf publication under section 10 and the President’s power under section 11(3);
(c) The operative provision stating that the loose-leaf edition becomes the sole and only proper law with effect from 31 December 2006; and
(d) A Schedule identifying the Acts to which the designation applies.
There are no “Parts” or detailed substantive sections in the extract because the instrument’s function is procedural and declaratory: it validates and designates the authoritative legal text for specified Acts.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule and, by extension, to everyone who uses those Acts in legal contexts. That includes courts, tribunals, government agencies, legal practitioners, and members of the public who rely on the law as stated in the authoritative revised edition.
Although the order is addressed to the legal system rather than to a particular class of persons, its effect is practical: once the effective date is reached, the designated loose-leaf edition becomes the controlling “proper law” for the listed Acts. In litigation, this can affect how pleadings are drafted, how statutory interpretation is conducted, and what text is cited as authoritative.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the order does not change substantive law, it is highly significant for legal practice because it governs which text counts. In statutory litigation, the exact wording of provisions matters. If different versions of an Act are treated as authoritative, disputes can arise about the correct text, numbering, amendments, and consolidation effects. By designating a specific revised loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, the order reduces ambiguity and promotes consistency.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the order supports administrative certainty. Agencies that rely on statutory powers, procedural requirements, or regulatory duties need a stable reference point. The “sole and only proper law” designation helps ensure that internal compliance manuals, legal opinions, and enforcement decisions are anchored to the correct authoritative text.
For practitioners, the order also has a citation and research impact. When researching an Act that is included in the Schedule, lawyers should ensure they are consulting the revised loose-leaf edition designated by this order (effective 31 December 2006). This is especially important when cross-referencing amendments, transitional provisions, or subsequent revisions. The order’s existence is a reminder that legal research must be version-aware—particularly in jurisdictions where official revisions and re-editions occur.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3), which provide the mechanism for loose-leaf publication and presidential designation of “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.