Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 5) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S413-2014
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Enacting Formula (key basis): Made pursuant to section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Date made: 13 June 2014
- Gazette/Publication reference: SL 413/2014
- Effective date: 30 June 2014
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Parts: Not applicable (Order with a Schedule and operative clause)
- Key operative effect: Declares the loose-leaf editions of specified Acts to be the “sole and only proper law” of Singapore for those Acts
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 5) Order 2014 is an administrative-but-critical legal instrument that determines what version of certain Singapore Acts counts as the authoritative law for use in courts and for all legal purposes. In plain terms, it is about “locking in” the official legal text of specified statutes in their loose-leaf form, so that lawyers, judges, and government bodies can rely on a single, definitive source.
Under Singapore’s Revised Edition of the Laws framework, the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in a loose-leaf format. This loose-leaf publication is not automatically treated as the sole authoritative law in every context. Instead, the Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides a mechanism whereby the President may, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition of particular Acts shall become the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
This Order is one such Presidential order. It refers to Acts set out in its Schedule as having been published in loose-leaf form “as in force on 1st June 2014.” It then provides that, with effect from 30 June 2014, those loose-leaf editions are to be treated as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the specified Acts. The practical effect is to reduce ambiguity and prevent disputes about which printed or earlier consolidated versions should govern.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “loose-leaf” publication basis (Whereas clauses). The Order begins with recitals explaining the legal process. 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 listed in the Schedule, as in force on 1 June 2014. This matters because it ties the authoritative text to a specific “as at” date, signalling that the loose-leaf edition reflects the law at that time.
2. The Presidential power under section 11(3). The recitals also highlight the statutory authority: section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act requires the Commissioners to transmit to the President a copy of the loose-leaf edition of each of these Acts. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This is the legal bridge between (a) publication by the Commissioners and (b) formal legal recognition for court and legal use.
3. The operative declaration: “sole and only proper law”. The core operative provision is the President’s order that the loose-leaf editions of the Acts in the Schedule shall, with effect from 30 June 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. The phrase “sole and only proper law” is deliberately strong. It signals that, for the specified Acts, there should be no competing “proper law” texts—such as earlier printed editions or unofficial reproductions—that could be argued to govern.
4. Timing and legal certainty. The Order specifies a clear commencement/effective date: 30 June 2014. This is essential for practitioners. When amendments occur, or when multiple versions exist in circulation, the effective date determines which text is authoritative for events, filings, and court proceedings. The Order therefore functions as a legal certainty device: it tells the profession when the loose-leaf edition becomes the definitive legal source.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short Presidential order with an enacting formula and a Schedule. The Schedule is referenced as containing the Acts that have been published in loose-leaf form by the Law Revision Commissioners. The Order itself is largely composed of (i) recitals explaining the statutory background and the Commissioners’ publication, and (ii) an operative clause declaring the legal effect of the loose-leaf editions.
In practical terms, the “structure” is less about multiple substantive sections and more about the legal mechanism: the Schedule identifies the Acts; the operative clause then declares the loose-leaf edition of those Acts to be the sole and only proper law from the specified effective date. For legal research and litigation, the Schedule is therefore the most important navigational element—because it tells you which Acts are covered by the “sole and only proper law” declaration.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. It does not create new rights or offences by itself. Instead, it governs the authoritative legal text for those Acts. Accordingly, its practical reach is broad: it affects how courts interpret and apply the specified Acts, and how lawyers cite and rely on statutory provisions.
While the Order is addressed to the legal system (courts and “all purposes”), its direct operational impact is felt by practitioners—lawyers drafting pleadings, advising clients, preparing submissions, and conducting statutory interpretation. It also affects public authorities that must apply the law correctly, and judicial officers who must ensure they are applying the proper statutory text.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 5) Order 2014 is brief, it plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of Singapore’s legal system. The “sole and only proper law” declaration prevents uncertainty about which version of an Act is authoritative. In litigation, even small discrepancies between versions can lead to arguments about interpretation, legislative intent, or the applicability of amendments. By designating a single proper law text, the Order reduces the risk of such disputes.
For practitioners, the Order is also a research tool. When you are verifying the current statutory text—especially for Acts that have been revised and republished in loose-leaf form—you need to know whether the loose-leaf edition has been formally elevated to the proper law status. This Order provides that confirmation for the Acts in its Schedule as from 30 June 2014.
Finally, the Order supports the broader legislative policy of accessibility and accuracy. The Revised Edition of the Laws framework aims to provide an up-to-date and reliable compilation of legislation. The Presidential order mechanism ensures that the compilation is not merely a publication exercise but becomes the legally authoritative reference point for courts and all legal purposes.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular, section 10 (publication by Law Revision Commissioners) and section 11(3) (President’s power to declare loose-leaf editions as sole and only proper law)
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 5) Order 2014 — this instrument (SL 413/2014)
- Legislation timeline / amendment history — for confirming the correct version as at the date relevant to your matter (noting the “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” status)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 5) Order 2014 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.