Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S567-2007
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Legislative Instrument No.: S 567/2007
- Enacting Formula / Basis: President’s order under section 11(3) following publication by the Law Revision Commissioners under section 10
- Gazette Mechanism: Order published in the Gazette
- Effective Date (as stated): 31 October 2007
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the platform extract)
- Schedule: Refers to “the Acts set out in the Schedule” (the extract does not reproduce the Schedule list)
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a presidential order made under section 11(3) of Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In practical terms, it is not a “substantive law” that creates new rights or offences. Instead, it is an administrative/legal certainty mechanism that determines which version of certain Acts is to be treated as the authoritative “proper law” of Singapore in courts and for all purposes.
The order is linked to the Law Revision Commissioners’ work. Under section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Commissioners publish Acts in a “loose-leaf form” (a consolidated, revised format). The presidential order then specifies that those loose-leaf editions are to be treated as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the specified Acts.
Accordingly, the core function of this order is to “lock in” the legal authority of the revised loose-leaf editions. This matters to lawyers because, in legal practice, the correct text of an Act is essential for statutory interpretation, pleading, compliance, and citation. Where multiple versions exist (e.g., earlier editions, amendments, or reprints), the order provides a clear rule for which text governs “in all courts and for all purposes”.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The legal trigger: section 10 publication and section 11(3) presidential specification. The enacting formula explains the sequence. First, pursuant to section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners publish in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule “as in force on 1st October 2007”. Second, section 11(3) provides that the Commissioners shall transmit copies of those loose-leaf editions to the President. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf editions shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
2. The “sole and only proper law” effect. The order states that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule “shall, in all courts and for all purposes, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This is a strong legal certainty clause. It is designed to prevent disputes about whether a particular version is authoritative—particularly where earlier printed editions, interim amendments, or other compilations might otherwise be argued to be controlling.
3. Commencement/effective date. The order provides that the loose-leaf editions shall take effect “with effect from 31st October 2007.” For practitioners, this date is crucial when determining which statutory text applies to events, proceedings, or compliance obligations that fall around the transition period. While the order is about the authoritative text, the effective date can still matter for how courts treat the governing version of the law.
4. Formalities and identification. The instrument is dated “this 11th day of October 2007” and signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet (by command). It also includes a reference “[AG/LRRD/5/2007]”. These details are typical for Gazette orders and help confirm the instrument’s provenance and administrative record. The extract also indicates that the instrument is “No. S 567” and is a “Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) Order under Section 11 (3).”
Practical note on the Schedule. The extract references “the Acts set out in the Schedule” but does not reproduce the list of Acts. In practice, the Schedule determines the scope of which Acts are covered by the “sole and only proper law” rule. A lawyer should obtain the full text (including the Schedule) to identify exactly which Acts are affected. Without the Schedule list, one cannot precisely determine the coverage of the order.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short presidential order with a schedule-based scope. The main elements are:
(a) Enacting formula: It sets out the legal basis and the factual/legal background—publication by the Law Revision Commissioners under section 10, transmission to the President, and the President’s power under section 11(3).
(b) The operative clause: It declares that the loose-leaf editions of the Acts in the Schedule are the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts, in all courts and for all purposes.
(c) Commencement provision: It specifies the effective date (31 October 2007).
(d) The Schedule: It identifies the Acts to which the order applies. The Schedule is therefore the key determinant of scope.
Because the extract is limited, it appears that the instrument contains no substantive “sections” in the usual sense; rather, it is a Gazette order with a schedule-driven scope.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The order applies to courts and all persons in Singapore insofar as they rely on the “proper law” of the Acts listed in the Schedule. The clause “in all courts and for all purposes” indicates that the rule is not confined to particular proceedings or categories of parties. It is intended to be universal in legal effect.
In terms of practical impact, the order primarily affects legal practitioners, litigants, government agencies, and anyone interpreting or applying the covered Acts. It ensures that when those Acts are cited, relied upon, or enforced, the authoritative text is the loose-leaf revised edition specified by the President.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although this instrument is procedural in nature, it is important because it underpins legal certainty in statutory texts. Singapore’s legislative framework is amended over time. Revisions and reprints can create multiple versions of an Act in circulation. Without a clear “proper law” designation, parties might argue over which version governs—especially in disputes about interpretation, transitional provisions, or the precise wording of statutory sections.
This order resolves that problem for the Acts in the Schedule by declaring that the specified loose-leaf editions are the sole and only proper law. For lawyers, this has several concrete consequences:
- Citation and pleading: When drafting pleadings, submissions, or advice, practitioners should ensure they cite the authoritative text. The “sole and only proper law” rule supports reliance on the revised loose-leaf edition as the controlling authority.
- Statutory interpretation: Courts interpret the text that is legally authoritative. By fixing the proper law, the order reduces interpretive uncertainty arising from competing versions.
- Compliance and enforcement: Agencies and regulated entities must apply the correct statutory requirements. The order supports consistent application by pointing to the authoritative revised edition.
Finally, the effective date (31 October 2007) provides a temporal anchor for determining the authoritative text during the transition from earlier versions. While the order does not necessarily change the substantive content of the Acts (it is based on Acts “as in force on 1st October 2007”), it does change which compilation is legally treated as the proper law. In litigation, that distinction can be decisive where wording differs between editions.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3)
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.