Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Rectification) Order 2011
- Act Code: RELA1983-S213-2011
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), in particular section 23(1)
- Enacting formula (summary): Made by the Law Revision Commissioners under the statutory power to rectify errors in revised editions
- Key provisions: Section 1 (Citation and commencement); Section 2 (Rectification of error)
- Legislation number (as indicated): S 213/2011
- Date made: 21 April 2011
- Commencement: Not expressly stated in the extract; typically operative upon making/commencement as provided by the Order’s terms and general practice for such rectification orders
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the platform status indicator)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Rectification) Order 2011 is a short, targeted piece of subsidiary legislation. Its purpose is not to create new legal rules or policy, but to correct a specific error found in a previously published revised edition of Singapore’s subsidiary legislation.
In practical terms, the Order amends the Immigration Regulations (Cap. 133, Rg 1 (2009 Ed.)) by changing a single word in regulation 22(2). The rectification is designed to ensure that the text of the regulations accurately reflects the intended legal meaning. Such “rectification” orders are a common feature of legal publishing: they preserve the integrity of the law as it appears in revised editions, without reopening the underlying substantive framework.
Because the Order is limited to correcting an error, it is best understood as a publishing and accuracy mechanism. For practitioners, the key value lies in confirming the correct wording that should be applied when interpreting regulation 22(2) of the Immigration Regulations (2009 Edition). Even a single-word change can matter where the law turns on the distinction between different concepts.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation and commencement). Section 1 provides the short title: the “Revised Edition of the Laws (Rectification) Order 2011”. It also addresses commencement. In the extract, the Order states that it “may be cited as” the Order, and the standard drafting indicates commencement is tied to the Order’s terms. For lawyers, the important takeaway is that this is a formal rectification instrument, not an interpretive guideline or a substantive amendment act.
Section 2 (Rectification of error). This is the operative provision. It directs a specific textual correction in regulation 22(2) of the Immigration Regulations (Cap. 133, Rg 1 (2009 Ed.)). The Order instructs that the word “office” be deleted and replaced with “offence”.
Although the change is only one word, it is legally significant. “Office” and “offence” are not interchangeable: “offence” denotes a breach of law that may attract criminal or regulatory consequences, while “office” refers to a position or role. In immigration enforcement contexts, the distinction is particularly important because immigration regulations often define prohibited conduct and establish offences. If the revised edition mistakenly used “office” where “offence” was intended, the error could create confusion in interpretation, pleading, or enforcement documents.
How the rectification works in practice. The Order does not introduce a new regulatory requirement; it corrects the text of an existing regulation in a revised edition. For practitioners, this means that when citing regulation 22(2) (as it appears in the relevant revised edition), the corrected wording should be used. In litigation or compliance work, using the incorrect word from an earlier or erroneous print version can lead to avoidable disputes about meaning, especially where the regulation is invoked to establish that certain conduct constitutes an “offence”.
Scope of the correction. The rectification is confined to regulation 22(2) and to the specific word substitution. There is no indication in the extract of broader amendments to the Immigration Regulations. Accordingly, the legal effect is narrow: it corrects the meaning of regulation 22(2) by aligning the revised text with the intended legal concept.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured in a very simple format, consistent with rectification instruments:
1. Citation and commencement — identifies the Order and provides its short title and commencement framework.
2. Rectification of error — specifies the exact location of the error (regulation 22(2) of the Immigration Regulations (Cap. 133, Rg 1 (2009 Ed.))) and the exact textual change (“office” to “offence”).
There are no Parts, schedules, or complex subsections in the extract. This reflects the Order’s purpose: to correct a discrete error rather than to reform the regulatory regime.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the Order itself is addressed to the legal text (i.e., it amends the published regulations), its practical effect applies to all persons and entities whose rights, obligations, or liabilities are affected by regulation 22(2) of the Immigration Regulations (Cap. 133). That typically includes individuals subject to immigration control and any parties involved in immigration compliance or enforcement.
Because the correction is from “office” to “offence”, the rectification is most relevant to contexts where regulation 22(2) is used to identify prohibited conduct or to support the existence of an offence. In enforcement proceedings, compliance reviews, or legal advice, practitioners should ensure they rely on the corrected wording when interpreting the regulation’s meaning.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Revised Edition of the Laws (Rectification) Order 2011 is brief, it is important for legal certainty. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate publication of legislation. When a revised edition contains a typographical or drafting error, it can create interpretive ambiguity. Rectification orders are designed to eliminate that ambiguity quickly and authoritatively.
Practical impact on legal interpretation and drafting. The “office” to “offence” correction helps ensure that regulation 22(2) is read in a way that matches its legal function. In immigration law, where offences and enforcement consequences are central, a misprint could affect how counsel frames arguments, how charges are described, or how compliance obligations are understood. Correct wording supports consistent interpretation across courts, tribunals, and administrative enforcement.
Enforcement and litigation considerations. In proceedings where regulation 22(2) is cited, the corrected text reduces the risk of technical arguments based on textual inaccuracies. While courts generally aim to interpret legislation purposively, practitioners should not assume that a misprint will be ignored—particularly where the error changes the legal concept. By rectifying the text, the Order strengthens the reliability of the legal record.
Value for practitioners using revised editions. Lawyers frequently work with consolidated or revised editions of legislation. This Order is a reminder to check the latest version status and to confirm that the text being relied upon reflects rectifications. The platform status indicates the Order is current as at 27 Mar 2026, but the key is that the rectification itself was made in 2011 and is intended to correct the 2009 edition’s regulation text. Practitioners should therefore ensure that their citations align with the corrected wording.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) — in particular section 23(1), which empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to make rectification orders
- Immigration Regulations (Cap. 133, Rg 1 (2009 Ed.)) — regulation 22(2), as rectified by this Order
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Rectification) Order 2011 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.