Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 4) Order 2013
- Act Code: RELA1983-S707-2013
- Type: Statutory Instrument (Order)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Enacting Formula (core mechanism): President’s order made pursuant to section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Key Date (effective date): 30 November 2013
- Gazette / Instrument reference: SL 707/2013
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Schedule basis (as stated): Acts published in loose-leaf form “as in force on 1 November 2013”
- Practical effect stated in the Order: The loose-leaf edition becomes the “sole and only proper law of Singapore” for the specified Acts
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 4) Order 2013 is not a substantive law that creates new rights or offences. Instead, it is a legal “validation” instrument that determines which version of certain Acts counts as the official law for use in Singapore courts and for all legal purposes.
In plain terms, the Order addresses a practical problem: laws are amended over time, and the official text must be kept up to date. Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners prepare updated “loose-leaf” editions of Acts reflecting the law as at a particular cut-off date. The President may then issue an order specifying that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and proper law for those Acts.
This particular Order (No. 4) relates to the Acts set out in its Schedule. It states that, with effect from 30 November 2013, the loose-leaf edition transmitted by the Commissioners will be the “sole and only proper law of Singapore” in respect of those Acts. That phrase is crucial: it is designed to prevent disputes about whether an earlier printed edition, an unofficial compilation, or a different version is the authoritative text.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory basis: section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The Order is made pursuant to section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). The enacting formula explains the chain of authority: the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in loose-leaf form as in force on a specified date (here, 1 November 2013). The Commissioners then transmit copies to the President, and the President may, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law for the Acts listed in the Schedule.
2. The “sole and only proper law” effect
The operative statement provides that the loose-leaf edition “shall, with effect from 30th November 2013, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This is the heart of the instrument. For practitioners, the practical takeaway is that once the effective date arrives, courts and legal actors should treat the loose-leaf edition as the authoritative legal text for the specified Acts.
3. The cut-off date for the loose-leaf edition
The Order’s recitals state that the Commissioners published the Acts “as in force on 1st November 2013.” This matters because it indicates the version of the law that the loose-leaf edition captures. Amendments enacted after that cut-off date would not be reflected unless subsequently incorporated through later revision orders or other legislative mechanisms.
4. Timing and formalities
The Order is “made” on 20 November 2013, but it takes effect on 30 November 2013. This gap is typical for instruments of this kind: it allows for publication and administrative readiness. The Order also references the Gazette publication mechanism and includes an official sign-off by the Secretary to the Cabinet, acting “By Command.” While these details may appear procedural, they reinforce the legal certainty that the President’s order is the formal trigger for the “sole and only proper law” status.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a conventional way for revision orders: it contains (i) a title, (ii) a status note, (iii) an enacting formula, and (iv) a “THE SCHEDULE” section. The Schedule is where the Acts covered by the Order are listed. The extract provided does not show the Schedule contents, but the legal function is clear: the Schedule identifies which Acts are affected by the “sole and only proper law” designation.
From a practitioner’s standpoint, the structure is therefore less about “sections” and more about the Schedule. When advising clients, preparing submissions, or conducting legal research, the key steps are: confirm the instrument number, identify the Acts listed in the Schedule, and then rely on the loose-leaf edition as the authoritative text from the effective date stated in the Order.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the legal system—that is, it governs what counts as the proper law of Singapore for the Acts listed in the Schedule. It does not target a particular class of persons (such as employers, employees, or regulated industries). Instead, it sets the authoritative textual basis for those Acts.
Accordingly, its practical “audience” includes courts, lawyers, government agencies, and anyone relying on statutory text in legal proceedings or compliance contexts. If there is any question about which version of an Act is legally authoritative, the revision order provides the answer by elevating the loose-leaf edition to the “sole and only proper law” status as of 30 November 2013.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is brief and procedural, it is important because it underpins legal certainty. Singapore’s legislative framework depends on accurate statutory text. Over time, amendments can create confusion about which consolidated version is correct. Revision orders like this one reduce that risk by formally designating a specific revised edition as the authoritative law.
For litigation and legal research, the “sole and only proper law” language has real consequences. In practice, disputes can arise when parties cite different versions of an Act—particularly where one version is an unofficial compilation or where amendments have been made but not yet incorporated into a particular publication. This Order is designed to eliminate such ambiguity for the Acts in its Schedule by making the loose-leaf edition the definitive text for “all courts and for all purposes.”
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the Order also supports consistent interpretation. Agencies and regulated entities often rely on statutory wording to determine obligations. If the authoritative text is clear, compliance guidance and internal legal reviews can be aligned to the correct version. While this Order does not itself change substantive obligations, it ensures that the obligations contained in the covered Acts are read from the correct official text.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular, section 11(3), which empowers the President to designate the loose-leaf edition as the sole and proper law
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders — subsequent or prior “No.” orders that similarly validate other sets of Acts as revised editions
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 4) Order 2013 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.