Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 10) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S837-2014
- Type: Subsidiary legislation / statutory order (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Enacting Formula (core mechanism): President’s order under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Key Date / Effectivity: Effective from 31 December 2014
- Gazette Publication: Order published in the Gazette (as referenced in the enacting formula)
- Instrument Identifier (as shown): SL 837/2014
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Schedule: Refers to Acts “set out in the Schedule” (not reproduced in the extract provided)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 10) Order 2014 is an administrative-legal instrument that addresses a very practical question for lawyers and courts: which version of the law is the “proper law” to be applied in Singapore for specified Acts.
In plain terms, the Order confirms that the “loose-leaf edition” of certain Acts—published by the Law Revision Commissioners—will become the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts, once the Order takes effect. This is not a substantive amendment to the content of the Acts themselves. Instead, it is a mechanism for legal certainty and uniformity in how the law is cited and applied.
The Order is made under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The legislative design is that the Law Revision Commissioners prepare revised editions (in loose-leaf form) of Acts as they stand at a specified cut-off date. The President then issues an order, published in the Gazette, to designate those loose-leaf editions as the sole and only proper law for the relevant Acts, effective from a stated date.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “proper law” designation (the central operative effect)
The operative clause in the extract states that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule “shall, with effect from 31 December 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This is the key legal consequence. It means that, for the Acts covered by the Schedule, courts and all persons must treat the loose-leaf revised text as the definitive legal text for all purposes.
2. The statutory pathway under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The enacting formula explains the procedural steps. First, pursuant to section 10 of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule as in force on 1 December 2014. Second, section 11(3) provides that the Commissioners transmit a copy of the loose-leaf edition of each of these Acts to the President. Third, the President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law.
3. Effective date and legal certainty
The Order specifies an effective date: 31 December 2014. This matters for practitioners because it defines the transition point between earlier consolidated or revised texts and the newly designated loose-leaf edition. After the effective date, reliance on older versions (for the Acts in the Schedule) is legally risky, because the “proper law” status is confined to the designated loose-leaf edition.
4. “Sole and only proper law” for “all courts and for all purposes”
Although the extract’s operative clause focuses on “sole and only proper law,” the enacting formula also references the broader statutory language: the President may specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law “in all courts and for all purposes.” Practically, this reinforces that the designation is comprehensive: it is not limited to particular proceedings, particular parties, or particular types of legal issues. It is a general rule about the authoritative text of the law.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a typical way for orders made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act.
Enacting formula: The document begins with recitals (“Whereas…” statements) that set out the legal basis and the factual/legal background—namely, the Commissioners’ publication of the loose-leaf editions and the President’s power under section 11(3).
Operative part: The operative statement then orders that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule becomes the sole and only proper law, effective from 31 December 2014.
The Schedule: The Schedule is crucial because it identifies which Acts are covered. In the extract provided, the Schedule content is not shown. For a practitioner, obtaining the Schedule is essential to determine the exact Acts affected by the Order. Without the Schedule, one cannot reliably list the specific statutes whose authoritative text is being designated.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. Its effect is not directed at a particular class of persons (such as regulated entities or offenders). Instead, it governs the authoritative legal text for those Acts.
Because the Order states that the loose-leaf edition becomes the sole and only proper law “in all courts and for all purposes,” it binds the legal system broadly. This includes judges, lawyers, government agencies, and any person who must interpret or apply the specified Acts. In practice, it affects how legislation is cited in pleadings, submissions, and legal advice, and how courts determine the applicable wording of the law.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is procedural in nature, it is highly significant for legal practice. The Singapore legal system relies on accurate and authoritative legislative texts. When multiple versions of an Act exist—such as earlier consolidations, amendments, or revised editions—there is a risk of inconsistency in interpretation if the “proper law” status is unclear. This Order eliminates that uncertainty for the Acts in the Schedule by designating one definitive text.
1. It supports legal certainty and uniform application
By declaring the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, the Order ensures that all courts apply the same authoritative wording. This reduces disputes about which version is correct and helps prevent arguments based on outdated or superseded text.
2. It affects litigation and legal drafting
Practitioners often need to cite statutory provisions precisely. The “proper law” designation influences what text is considered authoritative at the relevant time. In litigation, citing the wrong version can lead to avoidable procedural and substantive issues—particularly where amendments have occurred between earlier publications and the effective date.
3. It is a reminder that legislative authority is not only about amendments
Lawyers sometimes focus exclusively on substantive amendments (new offences, new regulatory duties, revised procedures). This Order shows another dimension of legislative governance: the authoritative form of the law. Even when the content is not being changed by the Order itself, the legal system’s reliance on a designated edition means that the “source text” for interpretation is being formally set.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular, sections 10 and 11(3) (the statutory basis for the Law Revision Commissioners’ loose-leaf publication and the President’s designation of the sole and only proper law).
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders (other numbers) — similar President’s orders that designate revised loose-leaf editions for different sets of Acts (the “(No. 10)” indicates this is one in a series).
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 10) Order 2014 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.