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)
- Legislative Instrument Number: SL 413/2014
- Date Made: 13 June 2014
- Commencement / Effective Date: 30 June 2014
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Legal Mechanism: Designation of the loose-leaf edition as the “sole and only proper law” for specified Acts
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 5) Order 2014 is a procedural but highly consequential instrument. In plain terms, it tells Singapore’s courts and legal system which version of certain Acts should be treated as the authoritative “proper law” for all legal purposes.
The Order is made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). Under that Act, the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in a loose-leaf format. The loose-leaf edition is intended to keep legislation updated and properly consolidated. However, the loose-leaf publication does not automatically become the sole authoritative law in court. Instead, the President may, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the relevant Acts.
This particular Order (No. 5) is one of several orders that implement that mechanism. It is linked to a specific revision cycle: the Commissioners published the Acts “as in force on 1st June 2014” in loose-leaf form, and the President’s Order then designates that loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law with effect from 30 June 2014.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory “whereas” framework (purpose and authority). The Order begins with recitals explaining the legal basis for the instrument. 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 they were in force on 1 June 2014. It then explains the enabling provision: section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act requires the Commissioners to transmit copies of the loose-leaf editions to the President, and the President may then issue a Gazette order specifying that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore “in respect of those Acts”.
2. The operative designation: “sole and only proper law”. The core legal effect is contained in the operative paragraph. The President orders that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule “shall, with effect from 30th June 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This phrase is crucial. It is not merely a statement of preference or a publication note; it is a legal designation that determines what courts treat as authoritative law for all purposes.
3. Temporal effect: effective from 30 June 2014. The Order specifies a clear commencement/effective date: 30 June 2014. For practitioners, this matters because it defines the point at which the loose-leaf edition becomes the sole and only proper law for the relevant Acts. If a dispute, filing, or compliance step occurs around the transition date, counsel should ensure that the version relied upon corresponds to the effective “proper law” regime.
4. Formalities and making by the President. The Order includes the formal “Made this 13th day of June 2014” clause and indicates it was made “By Command” with the Secretary to the Cabinet signing. While these details may appear administrative, they confirm the instrument’s validity and the constitutional/legal process by which the President exercises the power under section 11(3) of Cap. 275.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Although the extract provided does not reproduce the full Schedule listing the specific Acts, the structure is straightforward and typical of orders under Cap. 275.
Enacting formula and recitals: The instrument sets out the legal context—publication by the Law Revision Commissioners under section 10, and the President’s power under section 11(3).
The Schedule: The Schedule is where the Acts covered by the Order are identified. In practice, this Schedule determines the scope of the “sole and only proper law” designation. For a lawyer, the Schedule is the most practically important component because it tells you exactly which Acts are affected by the Order.
Operative clause: The operative clause applies the designation to the loose-leaf editions of the Acts in the Schedule, effective from 30 June 2014.
Dates and signature: The “Made” date and the signature block complete the formal legislative record.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Order applies to the legal system’s treatment of the specified Acts. It is not a regulatory instrument imposing duties on the public in the way that substantive statutes do. Instead, it governs which text of the law is treated as authoritative—“in all courts and for all purposes”—for the Acts listed in the Schedule.
Accordingly, its practical reach extends to:
- Courts and tribunals that must apply the “proper law” of Singapore when interpreting and enforcing the specified Acts;
- Legal practitioners who must cite and rely on the correct authoritative version of legislation;
- Government agencies and regulated entities that depend on accurate statutory text for compliance, enforcement, and administrative decision-making.
Because the Order designates the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, it effectively standardises the legal reference point for the specified Acts across the legal system.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
At first glance, the Order may look like a technical publication step. However, it has real consequences for litigation, statutory interpretation, and compliance. In Singapore practice, the “proper law” concept matters because courts must apply the authoritative version of legislation. If a party relies on an outdated or non-authoritative text, it risks misstatement of the law, incorrect interpretation, or evidential/citation problems.
1. It reduces uncertainty about which legislative text governs. By designating the loose-leaf edition as the “sole and only proper law” for the Acts in the Schedule, the Order eliminates ambiguity that could arise from multiple versions circulating in practice (e.g., earlier consolidated versions, unofficial reproductions, or interim amendments). This is particularly important in periods where amendments have been made but the consolidated authoritative text has not yet been formally designated.
2. It supports consistent judicial application. Courts interpret statutes based on the authoritative text. The Order ensures that, from the effective date, the courts and legal actors align on the same legislative source. This consistency is fundamental to the rule of law and to predictability in legal outcomes.
3. It affects legal research, drafting, and citation. For practitioners, the Order is a reminder to verify the current “proper law” version. Even when the substantive content of an Act appears unchanged, the authoritative publication cycle can affect how the law is presented and updated. In drafting pleadings, preparing submissions, or advising clients, counsel should ensure that citations correspond to the designated proper law edition effective at the relevant time.
4. It operates within a broader legislative maintenance system. The Order is part of a continuing process under Cap. 275. The Law Revision Commissioners publish loose-leaf editions, and the President issues orders to designate them as the proper law. This system is designed to keep legislation accurate, consolidated, and usable for courts and practitioners.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3) governing publication of loose-leaf editions and designation of “sole and only proper law”.
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders — other numbered orders (e.g., “No. 1”, “No. 2”, etc.) that designate loose-leaf editions for different revision cycles or sets of Acts.
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.