Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 3) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S302-2014
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Key Legal Mechanism: President’s order under section 11(3) to designate a loose-leaf edition as the sole and proper law for specified Acts
- Gazette/Order Reference: SL 302/2014 (No. S 302)
- Date Made: 16 April 2014
- Effective Date: 30 April 2014
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 3) Order 2014 is a procedural “law revision” instrument. It does not create new substantive rights or offences by itself. Instead, it determines which version of certain Acts will be treated as the authoritative law in Singapore courts and for all legal purposes.
Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), the Law Revision Commissioners publish selected Acts in a loose-leaf format “as in force” on a specified date. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition of those Acts shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts. This Order is one such presidential designation.
In plain language: the Order “switches on” a particular revised loose-leaf compilation of the Acts listed in its Schedule, so that lawyers, courts, and government agencies must treat that compilation as the definitive legal text. This reduces uncertainty that can arise when multiple printed versions exist, and it ensures consistency in how legislation is cited and applied.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory basis: section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The enacting formula explains that the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the Acts set out in the Schedule as in force on 1 April 2014. It further states that section 11(3) of Cap. 275 empowers the Commissioners to transmit a copy of each loose-leaf edition to the President. The President may then, by Gazette order, specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
2. The designation of “sole and only proper law”
The operative effect of the Order is contained in the central statement: the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall, with effect from 30 April 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This phrase is crucial. It signals that, for the specified Acts, the loose-leaf revised edition is not merely an official reference—it is the authoritative legal text for all courts and all purposes.
3. Timing and legal certainty
The Order is made on 16 April 2014 and takes effect on 30 April 2014. Practitioners should note the practical implication: there is a transition period between the “as in force on 1 April 2014” compilation date and the effective date when the revised loose-leaf edition becomes the sole proper law. In disputes, the effective date can matter for determining which version of the text is authoritative for citation and interpretation, especially where amendments or transitional provisions are involved.
4. The Schedule (not reproduced in the extract)
The extract provided shows the Order’s structure and enacting formula but does not display the contents of the Schedule. Legally, the Schedule is the heart of the instrument because it identifies the specific Acts covered by the designation. For a practitioner, the Schedule determines the scope of the “sole and only proper law” effect. Without the Schedule, one cannot know precisely which Acts are included in this particular “No. 3” order. In practice, counsel should consult the full document to confirm the list of Acts and ensure correct citation.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a conventional way for Singapore law revision instruments:
(a) Enacting formula / Whereas clauses
The “Whereas” clauses set out the background: the Law Revision Commissioners have published loose-leaf Acts as in force on 1 April 2014, and the statutory mechanism under section 11(3) of Cap. 275 allows the President to designate the loose-leaf editions as the sole proper law.
(b) Operative provision
The operative statement provides the legal effect: the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule becomes the sole and only proper law of Singapore with effect from 30 April 2014.
(c) Signature block
The Order is “made” by the President “by command” and signed by the relevant Cabinet Secretary (as shown in the extract).
(d) The Schedule
The Schedule lists the Acts covered. This is essential for determining the practical reach of the Order.
Notably, unlike substantive legislation, this instrument contains no detailed regulatory provisions, enforcement mechanisms, or definitions. Its function is to manage the authoritative status of revised legal texts.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the Order is not directed at a particular class of persons (such as employers, licensees, or the public), it has broad legal relevance. It applies to all courts and all purposes in Singapore in relation to the Acts listed in the Schedule. In other words, it affects everyone who uses, interprets, or relies on those Acts—judges, lawyers, litigants, government agencies, and regulators.
Practically, the Order matters most to legal practitioners and court users because it determines which version of the Acts is the authoritative text for citation and argument. It also matters to compliance teams and in-house counsel who need to ensure that their internal references to statutory provisions match the official “sole and only proper law” compilation.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. It governs the authoritative legal text
The most significant value of this Order is that it resolves a potential problem: multiple versions of legislation can exist in circulation (for example, earlier printed editions, loose-leaf updates, or unofficial compilations). By designating the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, the Order ensures that the legal system operates from a single authoritative source for the covered Acts.
2. It supports consistency in legal interpretation and citation
In litigation and advisory work, lawyers must cite the correct statutory wording. If counsel cites an outdated version, it can undermine credibility and, in some cases, affect the substance of an argument (particularly where amendments alter definitions, procedural steps, or the wording of offences or defences). This Order reduces that risk by clarifying which text is authoritative from the effective date.
3. It affects how practitioners should conduct statutory research
For practitioners using legal databases, annotated copies, or printed compilations, the Order is a reminder to verify the “current version” and to check the legislation timeline. The portal text in the extract itself instructs users to consult the timeline to ensure they are viewing the correct version. In practice, counsel should treat the “sole and only proper law” designation as a strong signal that the revised loose-leaf compilation is the correct reference point for the relevant Acts as from 30 April 2014.
4. It is part of an ongoing legislative maintenance system
This Order is one of a series (“No. 3”) that reflects the continuing work of law revision. The legal system relies on periodic consolidation and revision to keep statutory texts accurate and accessible. While this Order is procedural, it is foundational to the reliability of Singapore’s legislative corpus.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) — the authorising Act, including section 11(3) which empowers the President to designate loose-leaf editions as the sole and only proper law.
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders — subsequent or prior “No.” orders that similarly designate revised loose-leaf editions for different sets of Acts.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 3) Order 2014 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.