Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S596-2006
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Legislation Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- SL Number: S 596/2006
- Date of Enactment: 5 October 2006
- Commencement / Effective Date: 31 October 2006
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Authorising Provision: Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Primary Subject Matter: Confirmation that the loose-leaf edition of the Companies Act (Chapter 50) is the sole and only proper law of Singapore for that Act
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 practical terms, it is not a substantive “Companies Act reform” measure. Instead, it is a legal mechanism that determines which version of the Companies Act counts as the authoritative law for use in Singapore courts and for all legal purposes.
The order responds to a process carried out by the Law Revision Commissioners. Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Commissioners publish a “loose-leaf” edition of specified legislation. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, declare that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of that Act.
Accordingly, this order declares that the loose-leaf edition of the Companies Act (Chapter 50), as published following the revision process, becomes the definitive legal text. The order takes effect from 31 October 2006. For lawyers, the key significance is evidential and operational: it clarifies the authoritative source of the Companies Act provisions to be applied by courts, regulators, and practitioners.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “loose-leaf” publication by the Law Revision Commissioners
The enacting formula records that, pursuant to section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the Companies Act (Chapter 50) as in force on 1 October 2006. This establishes the factual predicate for the President’s subsequent action: the Commissioners have already prepared and published the revised loose-leaf edition.
2. The President’s power under section 11(3)
The order expressly relies on section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. That provision empowers the President, after receiving a copy of the loose-leaf edition from the Commissioners, to specify—by Gazette publication—that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of the Companies Act.
3. The operative declaration: “sole and only proper law”
The operative part states that the loose-leaf edition of the Companies Act shall, with effect from 31 October 2006, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of the Companies Act. This phrase is crucial. It means that, for legal purposes, the loose-leaf edition is treated as the authoritative text. Practically, it reduces ambiguity about which compilation/version should be relied upon when interpreting the Companies Act.
4. Formalities: dating and signature
The order is dated 5 October 2006 and signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore (by command). While these are formalities, they matter for practitioners who may need to cite the instrument correctly, confirm its Gazette publication, and verify the effective date for compliance and interpretation purposes.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short Presidential order with an enacting formula and a single operative declaration. Unlike a typical Act with multiple sections and detailed substantive rules, this order functions as a legal validation and authoritative-text declaration.
In terms of “structure,” it includes: (i) recitals (“Whereas” clauses) setting out the background—publication by the Law Revision Commissioners and the statutory power under section 11(3); (ii) the operative clause declaring the loose-leaf edition to be the sole and only proper law; and (iii) formal dating and signature. There are no substantive regulatory obligations imposed on companies or individuals. Instead, the order’s “content” is the legal status of the Companies Act text itself.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the order does not impose direct duties, it applies in a broad legal sense to everyone who uses, interprets, or relies on the Companies Act. This includes courts, tribunals, government agencies, companies, directors, auditors, insolvency practitioners, and legal advisers.
The practical effect is that, from 31 October 2006, the loose-leaf edition of the Companies Act is the authoritative version for “all courts and for all purposes.” Therefore, any party arguing the meaning of provisions, relying on statutory requirements, or citing the Companies Act in legal proceedings should ensure that the text they cite aligns with the declared authoritative edition.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. It determines the authoritative legal text
For practitioners, the most important value of this order is that it resolves a foundational question: which version of the Companies Act is the “proper law” to be applied. In legal practice, disputes can arise not only from interpretation but also from whether the correct statutory text has been consulted. By declaring the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, the order supports consistency and reduces the risk of citing outdated or non-authoritative compilations.
2. It supports certainty in litigation and compliance
The order’s wording—“in all courts and for all purposes”—is designed to ensure that the Companies Act is treated uniformly across the legal system. This is particularly relevant when amendments, revisions, or re-editions occur. Even where substantive amendments have been made, the legal system needs a stable reference point for the consolidated text. This order provides that reference point by tying authority to the loose-leaf edition effective from a specified date.
3. It affects how lawyers should cite and research the Companies Act
A lawyer preparing pleadings, drafting compliance policies, advising on corporate governance requirements, or interpreting statutory duties must ensure that citations reflect the authoritative text. While the order itself is procedural in nature, it has real downstream consequences: it influences statutory research workflows, citation practices, and the selection of the correct version when advising clients or arguing cases.
4. It reflects the legislative infrastructure for law revision
This order also illustrates how Singapore maintains and updates its legal corpus. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides a framework for law revision and publication in loose-leaf form. The Presidential order is the final step that confers “proper law” status. Understanding this framework helps practitioners appreciate why certain legal texts are declared authoritative and how revisions are operationalised.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 10 (publication by Law Revision Commissioners) and section 11(3) (President’s order declaring the loose-leaf edition as sole and only proper law)
- Companies Act (Chapter 50) — the substantive Act whose authoritative loose-leaf edition is declared by this 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.