Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S601-2003
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Enacting Formula / Instrument: Presidential order
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Key Enabling Provision: Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Gazette Publication Mechanism: Order published in the Gazette
- Commencement / Effective Date: 1 January 2004
- Instrument Date: Dated 16 December 2003
- Legislation Number: S 601
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
- Schedule: “THE SCHEDULE” (Acts set out in the Schedule are the subject of the order)
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 addresses a technical but highly consequential issue: which version of the law counts as the “proper law” of Singapore for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
The order is linked to the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication of certain Acts in a loose-leaf form as at 1 January 2004. The Commissioners publish these revised Acts, and then transmit copies to the President. Under section 11(3), the President may issue an order—published in the Gazette—stating that the loose-leaf edition of those Acts will be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of the specified Acts.
Accordingly, the core function of this legislation is not to change substantive legal rules (such as criminal offences or regulatory duties). Instead, it confirms the authoritative legal text for a defined set of Acts, ensuring that courts, practitioners, and government bodies apply the correct consolidated/revised versions.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “Whereas” recitals: the legal pathway to the order
The instrument begins with recitals explaining the statutory process. First, 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 January 2004. Second, it explains that section 11(3) requires the Commissioners to transmit copies of each loose-leaf edition to the President, and that the President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law.
For practitioners, these recitals matter because they show that the order is a procedural validation of the revised legal text. It is not merely administrative; it is the mechanism by which the revised edition becomes authoritative.
2. The operative clause: “sole and only proper law”
The operative part provides that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule shall, with effect from 1 January 2004, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
This phrase—“sole and only proper law”—is the legal heart of the instrument. It is designed to prevent uncertainty about which text prevails. In disputes, practitioners often need to confirm whether the court should apply the revised edition, the earlier consolidated edition, or some other publication. This order resolves that question by elevating the loose-leaf edition to the exclusive authoritative status for the specified Acts.
3. The Schedule: scope of Acts covered
The instrument refers to “THE SCHEDULE”, which is where the specific Acts are listed. While the extract provided does not display the Schedule contents, the structure indicates that the order’s effect is limited to the Acts enumerated in the Schedule.
For legal work, the Schedule is essential. A practitioner should identify whether the relevant Act in their matter is among those listed. If it is, then the loose-leaf edition as at 1 January 2004 is the exclusive proper law. If it is not, then different rules about authoritative text may apply (for example, other consolidation/revision instruments or later amendments).
4. Effective date and legal certainty
The order specifies that the change in authoritative status takes effect from 1 January 2004. This matters for transitional issues: if a legal dispute spans dates before and after that day, counsel may need to determine which version of the Act was the proper law at the relevant time.
Even though the order is about text authority rather than substantive change, the effective date can still be relevant where the revised edition reflects amendments or re-enactments up to the specified “as in force” date (here, 1 January 2004). Practically, the revised edition is intended to capture the law as it stood at that time, thereby supporting consistent application.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a conventional form for orders made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act:
(a) Enacting formula: It includes the formal legal language and the authority under which the President acts.
(b) Recitals (“Whereas” clauses): These explain the statutory background—publication by the Law Revision Commissioners under section 10, transmission to the President, and the President’s power under section 11(3).
(c) The operative order: A single, decisive statement that the loose-leaf edition becomes the sole and only proper law.
(d) The Schedule: The Schedule identifies the Acts to which the order applies. This is the scope-defining component.
There are no “parts” or “key sections” in the extract because the instrument is an order rather than a comprehensive regulatory statute. Its function is to declare legal authority for a specified set of Acts.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the order is addressed to the legal system rather than to a particular class of persons, its practical effect applies broadly. The declaration that the loose-leaf edition is the “sole and only proper law” means that courts, tribunals, government agencies, and private parties must treat the specified revised Acts as the authoritative legal text for all purposes.
In other words, it applies to everyone in the sense that everyone is subject to the law as stated in the authoritative text. However, the order’s direct legal “target” is the set of Acts listed in the Schedule. Practitioners should therefore focus on whether the Act relevant to their case is included.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
For lawyers, the importance of this instrument lies in legal certainty and citation reliability. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate, authoritative texts. When multiple versions of legislation exist in circulation—such as earlier consolidated editions, loose-leaf updates, or later amendments—there is a risk of confusion about which text a court should apply.
This order eliminates that risk for the Acts in the Schedule by declaring that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law as of the effective date. That declaration supports consistent judicial interpretation and reduces procedural disputes about the correct text.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the order also matters indirectly. Regulatory and compliance obligations are grounded in the content of statutes. If practitioners and agencies rely on an outdated or non-authoritative version, compliance advice and enforcement actions could be challenged. By confirming the authoritative text, the order helps ensure that legal obligations are assessed against the correct statutory provisions.
Finally, the instrument is a reminder that legal research in Singapore is not only about identifying the “right” statute, but also about identifying the right version. The portal’s note that the current version is “as at 27 Mar 2026” underscores that the legal database may show later editorial updates or annotations, but the order’s operative effect is tied to the effective date and the Acts listed in the Schedule.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular:
- Section 10 (publication of Acts in loose-leaf form by the Law Revision Commissioners)
- Section 11(3) (President’s power to declare 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.