Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 4) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S373-2014
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Status: Current version (as at 27 Mar 2026)
- Instrument number: SL 373/2014
- Date made: 19 May 2014
- Effective date: 31 May 2014
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key legal mechanism: President’s order under section 11(3) to designate a loose-leaf edition as the sole and proper law for courts
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 4) Order 2014 is a procedural “law revision” instrument. It does not create new substantive rights or offences. Instead, it determines which version of certain Acts will be treated as the authoritative “proper law of Singapore” for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
In plain terms, the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) provides a mechanism for the Law Revision Commissioners to publish Acts in a loose-leaf format. Those loose-leaf editions are then transmitted to the President. The President may, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition of the specified Acts shall become the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
This particular Order is the “No. 4” batch. It confirms that, with effect from 31 May 2014, the loose-leaf edition of the Acts listed in the Schedule will be the sole and only proper law in respect of those Acts. The legal significance is practical: it affects how lawyers cite legislation, how courts interpret the text, and how legal certainty is maintained across updates to the revised edition.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory “whereas” framework (purpose and authority). The Order begins with recitals explaining the legal basis. It states that, 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 May 2014. It then explains the next step under section 11(3): the Commissioners transmit a copy of each loose-leaf edition to the President, and the President may specify—by Gazette order—that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
2. The operative designation of “sole and only proper law”. The core operative clause provides that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall, with effect from 31 May 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This language is deliberately strong. It is designed to prevent uncertainty about which text is authoritative—particularly where multiple versions (e.g., earlier printed editions, interim amendments, or different publication formats) might otherwise be argued to be controlling.
3. The effective date and continuity of legal authority. By specifying an effective date (31 May 2014), the Order clarifies when the loose-leaf edition becomes the controlling legal text. For practitioners, this matters for citation and for determining which version of the statute applies at particular times. Even though the Order itself is not about substantive amendments, the “proper law” designation can affect the exact wording of provisions as they stand in the revised edition.
4. Formal enactment and presidential/ministerial certification. The Order is “made” on 19 May 2014 by command, signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet. The enacting formula and the reference to the Gazette publication reflect the constitutional and statutory process. While these are formalities, they are important for legal validity and for establishing that the instrument is properly promulgated.
Note on the Schedule: The extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents. However, the Schedule is central: it identifies the specific Acts whose loose-leaf editions are being designated as the sole and only proper law. In practice, a lawyer should consult the Schedule in the official text to determine exactly which Acts are affected by this Order.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a straightforward manner typical of “law revision” orders:
(a) Title and status information. It identifies the Order and notes its current status (as at 27 Mar 2026).
(b) Enacting formula and recitals. The recitals explain the legal pathway under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act: publication by the Law Revision Commissioners under section 10, transmission to the President, and the President’s power under section 11(3).
(c) The Schedule. The Schedule lists the Acts covered by the Order. The operative effect is limited to those Acts in the Schedule.
(d) Operative clause (designation and effective date). The Order then states that the loose-leaf edition of the scheduled Acts becomes the sole and only proper law with effect from 31 May 2014.
Because the extract shows only the enacting formula and the operative effect, the “substance” of the Order is essentially the legal designation mechanism rather than detailed substantive rules.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule—not to a particular class of persons. Its practical effect is on courts, legal practitioners, and anyone relying on the text of those Acts for “all purposes” under Singapore law.
In other words, while the Order is directed at the legal system’s treatment of statutory text, it indirectly affects everyone who is subject to the laws contained in the scheduled Acts. For example, if a scheduled Act contains offences, regulatory obligations, or procedural rules, those rules remain substantively governed by that Act; the Order ensures that the loose-leaf revised edition is the authoritative text for interpretation and application.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is not a “substantive” statute, it is important for legal certainty and for the integrity of legal citation. In Singapore practice, lawyers must cite legislation accurately. When the President designates a revised loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, it reduces disputes about which version of the Act controls—particularly where amendments have been consolidated into a revised edition.
1. It supports authoritative legal text and reduces litigation risk. The phrase “sole and only proper law” is designed to eliminate arguments that another publication format or earlier version should be treated as controlling. This is especially significant in litigation where parties might otherwise rely on different versions to argue for different interpretations or to challenge the applicability of particular wording.
2. It affects how practitioners cite and verify statutory provisions. For practitioners, the Order is a reminder to check the legislation timeline and to ensure that the version being relied upon is the correct “proper law” version. Since the Order is effective from 31 May 2014 and the platform indicates a current version as at 27 Mar 2026, lawyers should confirm whether later amendments have been incorporated into subsequent revised editions or whether other orders have superseded earlier designations.
3. It underpins the law revision programme. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act establishes an ongoing process to consolidate and publish Acts in a more usable form. Orders like this one are the legal “handover” points that convert the loose-leaf publication into the authoritative text for courts. This helps maintain a coherent legislative corpus over time.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3) (the enabling provisions for loose-leaf publication and presidential designation)
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders — other “No.” orders that designate different batches of Acts as the sole and only proper law (e.g., “No. 1”, “No. 2”, “No. 3”, etc., depending on the legislative timeline)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 4) Order 2014 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.