Statute Details
- Title: Order under Section 11(3)
- Act Code: RELA1983-S653-2008
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Legislative Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Commencement / Effective Date: 31 December 2008
- Enacting Formula / Authority: President’s order under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Primary Legal Mechanism: Designation of a “loose-leaf edition” as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for specified Acts
- Key Provision (as reflected in the extract): The President orders that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule shall be the sole and only proper law, with effect from 31 December 2008
- Schedule: Acts set out in the Schedule (not reproduced in the extract)
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 (Chapter 275). In plain terms, it is not a “substantive” law that creates new rights or offences. Instead, it is a legal mechanism that determines which version of certain Acts counts as the authoritative law for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
The order is connected to the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication of Acts in a “loose-leaf form” (a format used for ongoing updates). The order explains that the Commissioners published, as at 1 December 2008, the Acts set out in the Schedule in loose-leaf form. The President then makes an order—published in the Gazette—specifying that those loose-leaf editions are to be treated as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the specified Acts.
Accordingly, the practical effect is to “lock in” the loose-leaf edition as the definitive legal text for the listed Acts, effective from 31 December 2008. For lawyers, this matters because it affects what text should be relied upon in litigation, drafting, compliance, and legal research—particularly where there may be multiple versions (revised editions, earlier printings, amendments, and subsequent updates).
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory precondition: publication by the Law Revision Commissioners. The order begins by stating 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 in force on 1 December 2008. This establishes the factual and procedural foundation for the President’s subsequent action.
2. The President’s power under section 11(3). The order then sets out the legal basis: 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 of these Acts shall, in all courts and for all purposes, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
3. The operative designation: “sole and only proper law”. The core operative language is the President’s order that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts shall, with effect from 31 December 2008, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. The phrase “sole and only proper law” is significant: it is designed to eliminate uncertainty about which text is authoritative. In practice, it means that when courts and legal practitioners refer to the law for the specified Acts, they should treat the loose-leaf edition as the definitive legal text.
4. Effective date and formalities. The order is dated 11 December 2008 and signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet (by command). It specifies that the legal effect begins on 31 December 2008. This effective date is crucial for practitioners dealing with transitional questions—e.g., whether a particular amendment or version applies to conduct occurring before or after 31 December 2008. While the order itself is about authoritative text, the effective date can still matter when determining which version of the law is “proper” for a given period.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, this instrument is concise and follows the typical format of a Presidential order under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. Based on the extract, it comprises:
(a) Enacting formula: The formal statement of the legal authority and the President’s order-making power.
(b) Recitals: “Whereas” clauses explaining (i) the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication in loose-leaf form and (ii) the statutory mechanism allowing the President to designate the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law.
(c) The operative part: The President’s order that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall be the sole and only proper law, effective from 31 December 2008.
(d) The Schedule: The Schedule lists the Acts to which the order applies. The extract indicates that the Schedule exists but does not reproduce its contents. For legal research, the Schedule is the critical “scope” element—because it determines which Acts are covered by the “sole and only proper law” designation.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This order applies to the legal system and legal users in Singapore—particularly all courts and all purposes—in respect of the Acts listed in the Schedule. The language “in all courts and for all purposes” is broad and is intended to ensure uniformity: judges, litigants, regulators, and practitioners must rely on the designated loose-leaf edition as the authoritative text for those Acts.
While the order is addressed to the legal system rather than to a particular class of persons (such as employers, licensees, or offenders), its practical impact is felt by lawyers and litigants because it affects which version of the Acts is treated as the proper law. In day-to-day practice, this influences how counsel cite legislation, how compliance teams verify statutory requirements, and how legal opinions are framed when there are multiple possible sources of the text.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the order is procedural in nature, it is important because it addresses a foundational problem in legal research: textual authority. Singapore’s legislative landscape includes amendments over time, revised editions, and different publication formats. Without a clear “proper law” designation, there could be disputes about which version should control—especially when amendments are incorporated into revised editions or when different publication formats exist.
The order’s “sole and only proper law” language is designed to prevent such disputes. For practitioners, this means that when dealing with the Acts covered by the Schedule, the loose-leaf edition as at 1 December 2008 (and as designated effective 31 December 2008) is the authoritative reference point. This can be particularly relevant in:
- Court proceedings: ensuring that statutory citations reflect the proper authoritative text.
- Drafting and advisory work: confirming that legal advice is grounded in the proper law.
- Compliance and enforcement: verifying that regulatory obligations are interpreted according to the authoritative statutory text.
Finally, the order illustrates the governance of legal publication in Singapore. It demonstrates how the Law Revision Commissioners’ work and the President’s designation work together to maintain a coherent and authoritative legislative record. Even where the substantive content of the Acts is unchanged by this order, the order can still affect litigation outcomes indirectly—through the correct identification of the governing statutory text.
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.