Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S638-2002
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Commencement / Effective Date: 31 December 2002
- Enacting Formula: Order by the President of Singapore
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Legal Mechanism: “Sole and only proper law” confirmation for revised loose-leaf editions
- Instrument Identifier: SL 638/2002
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 regulatory statute that creates new legal rights or obligations. Instead, it is a legal “validation” mechanism: it confirms that a particular loose-leaf revised edition of specified Acts will be treated as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
The order is tied to the work of the Law Revision Commissioners, who publish revised versions of Acts in loose-leaf form. The order then enables the President to specify—by publication in the Gazette—that the loose-leaf edition is authoritative in courts and for all purposes. This ensures legal certainty and uniformity: lawyers, courts, and government bodies can rely on one official version of the law rather than dealing with multiple competing editions or references.
Accordingly, the “substance” of the legislation is procedural and constitutional-administrative. Its effect is to determine which text counts as the law for the specified Acts, as at a defined effective date (here, 31 December 2002).
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Reference to the Law Revision Commissioners’ loose-leaf publication (section 10 context). The order begins by “whereas” clauses explaining the background. It states that, pursuant to section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners published in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule as they were in force on 10 December 2002. This is important because it anchors the revision exercise to a particular “as at” date—meaning the revised edition reflects the law as it stood then.
2. Presidential power under section 11(3) to designate the authoritative edition. The order then explains the legal basis for presidential action. Under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, 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 in respect of those Acts.
3. The operative clause: “sole and only proper law” with effect from 31 December 2002. The core operative provision is the statement that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts (as set out in the Schedule) shall, with effect from 31 December 2002, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This language is legally significant. “Sole and only proper law” is designed to eliminate ambiguity about which version of the Acts is authoritative. For practitioners, it means that when advising clients, drafting pleadings, or arguing points of law, reliance should be placed on the designated revised loose-leaf edition as the official text.
4. Formalities: date, signature, and Gazette publication mechanism. The order is dated 5 December 2002 and signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet, acting “By Command” of the President (as reflected in the enacting formula). The order also references the requirement that the President’s designation be published in the Gazette. These formalities matter because they demonstrate that the instrument is not merely administrative but is enacted through the constitutionally recognised legislative process for designating authoritative law texts.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is very short and follows a standard pattern for orders made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. It contains:
(a) An enacting formula (the “whereas” clauses and the “Now therefore it is hereby ordered…” language), which sets out the legal basis and purpose.
(b) A Schedule (referred to as “THE SCHEDULE”). The Schedule is where the specific Acts covered by the order are listed. Although the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents, the Schedule is essential: it defines the scope of the “sole and only proper law” designation.
(c) The operative designation stating the effective date (31 December 2002) and the legal consequence (sole and only proper law).
(d) Administrative details such as the date of signing and the signature block.
Because the instrument is an order rather than a full Act, it does not typically contain “Parts” or “sections” in the way substantive legislation does. Its function is to designate the authoritative legal text for the Acts listed in the Schedule.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. It does not directly impose duties on individuals or regulate conduct. Instead, it applies indirectly to everyone who uses or relies on those Acts—courts, legal practitioners, government agencies, and the public—because it determines which version of the Acts is legally authoritative.
In terms of practical scope, the order affects:
1. Courts and tribunals: They must treat the designated loose-leaf edition as the proper law for the listed Acts “in all courts and for all purposes.”
2. Legal practitioners: When citing statutory provisions, practitioners should ensure they are citing the correct revised edition designated by the order, particularly when dealing with amendments, consolidation, or revision history.
3. Government bodies and regulators: Agencies applying the listed Acts must use the authoritative text for enforcement, licensing, and compliance decisions.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although this order is brief, it is highly important for legal certainty. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate statutory text. Over time, Acts are amended, revised, and consolidated. Without a formal mechanism to confirm which edition is authoritative, disputes could arise about whether a particular version is the “proper law,” especially where multiple editions exist in loose-leaf form or where revision exercises are underway.
This order resolves that problem by ensuring that, from the effective date, the designated loose-leaf edition becomes the single authoritative source for the listed Acts. For practitioners, this reduces the risk of citing outdated or non-authoritative text and supports consistent judicial interpretation.
From an enforcement and litigation perspective, the “sole and only proper law” designation can be decisive. If a party were to rely on a different edition or an unofficial compilation, the opposing party could challenge the correctness of the statutory text. By contrast, the order provides a clear legal basis for treating the designated edition as controlling. In practice, this supports smoother case management, more reliable statutory interpretation, and fewer procedural disputes about the text of the law.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — particularly sections 10 and 11(3) (authorising the Law Revision Commissioners’ loose-leaf publication and the President’s designation of the authoritative edition).
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.