Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Legitimacy Act) (Rectification) Order 2019
- Act Code: RELA1983-S51-2019
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Enacting Formula (key power): Powers under section 23(1) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Citation: “No. S 51” (SL 51/2019)
- Date made: 23 January 2019
- Commencement date: Not stated in the extract (orders of this type typically take effect upon publication, subject to the Revised Edition of the Laws Act framework)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key operative provision: Rectification of an error in paragraph 6 of the Schedule to the Legitimacy Act
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Legitimacy Act) (Rectification) Order 2019 is a short, targeted legal instrument. Its purpose is not to change substantive law on legitimacy, but to correct a textual mistake in the published version of the Legitimacy Act (Cap. 162). In plain terms, it fixes a misspelling in the Schedule to the Act so that the law is accurately stated.
In this Order, the Law Revision Commissioners exercise a specific statutory power to “rectify” errors in the revised edition of legislation. Such rectification orders are part of Singapore’s legislative maintenance system: they ensure that the text of laws remains reliable and consistent over time, especially after compilation, revision, and re-publication.
Although the Order is brief, it matters for legal practice. Small typographical errors can create ambiguity, affect interpretation, or complicate drafting and citation. Rectification orders help prevent those problems by aligning the text with the intended meaning.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Citation. The Order begins with a standard provision identifying itself: it is the “Revised Edition of the Laws (Legitimacy Act) (Rectification) Order 2019.” This is a formal step that allows the instrument to be cited correctly in legal materials and databases.
2. Rectification of error (operative substance). The core provision is paragraph 2, which directs a specific correction. The Order states that in paragraph 6 of the Schedule to the Legitimacy Act (Cap. 162, 1985 Ed.), the word “contrued” is to be deleted and substituted with “construed”.
This correction is a classic example of a rectification of a typographical error. The corrected word, “construed,” is a term of art in statutory interpretation. It signals that the provision is to be interpreted or understood in a particular way. The misspelling “contrued” would not normally carry a recognized legal meaning; it is likely a transcription or printing error introduced during the compilation of the revised edition.
Practical legal effect. After the rectification, the Schedule’s wording aligns with the conventional legal phrasing used in Singapore legislation. For practitioners, this reduces the risk of arguments based on textual anomalies. It also improves the accuracy of legal references in submissions, pleadings, and advisory opinions where the Schedule language may be quoted or relied upon.
Procedural context. The enacting formula indicates that the Law Revision Commissioners make the Order in exercise of powers conferred by section 23(1) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The extract also notes that the Order is “to be presented to Parliament” under section 23(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. This reflects a governance safeguard: rectification orders are made under delegated authority but are subject to parliamentary presentation requirements.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a very simple manner, consistent with rectification instruments. It contains:
(a) A short title/citation provision (section 1), which identifies the instrument; and
(b) A single operative rectification provision (section 2), which specifies the exact location of the error (paragraph 6 of the Schedule to the Legitimacy Act) and the exact textual change (substituting “contrued” with “construed”).
There are no Parts, complex definitions, or schedules attached to the Order itself. The “Schedule” referred to is within the Legitimacy Act, not within the Order. The Order’s structure is therefore best understood as a “patch” to the existing statute text.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because this is a rectification order, it does not create new obligations for a particular class of persons. Instead, it applies to the interpretation and application of the Legitimacy Act by ensuring that the statutory text is corrected.
In practice, the corrected wording affects anyone who relies on the Legitimacy Act’s Schedule—this includes lawyers drafting documents, courts interpreting the Act, government agencies administering related processes, and members of the public seeking to understand their legal position. The Order’s impact is indirect but real: it ensures that the law is stated accurately for interpretation.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Order corrects only a single word, it is important for several reasons. First, it preserves the integrity of statutory text. Singapore’s legislative system depends on precise wording; a misspelling can undermine confidence in the accuracy of the law and can complicate legal research and citation.
Second, the corrected term—“construed”—is central to legal interpretation. Statutory interpretation often turns on how courts and practitioners read and apply statutory language. If a word is misspelled, it may invite unnecessary disputes about whether the text is a drafting error or whether the misspelling was intentional. Rectification removes that uncertainty.
Third, the Order demonstrates the operation of Singapore’s law revision and maintenance framework. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to correct errors. This helps keep the legal corpus current and reliable without requiring a full legislative amendment process for minor textual mistakes. For practitioners, this means that legal research should always consider whether a rectification order has been made and whether it affects the version of the Act being cited.
Finally, the Order’s “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” status highlights a practical point: rectification orders can remain relevant long after they are made. When advising clients or preparing submissions, lawyers should ensure they are using the latest consolidated text and that any rectification changes are reflected in the version they cite.
Related Legislation
- Legitimacy Act (Cap. 162) — the Act whose Schedule is rectified
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act — the authorising statute providing the power to make rectification orders
- Legislation Timeline (as referenced in the legislation database) — for confirming the correct version and amendments status
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Legitimacy Act) (Rectification) Order 2019 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.