Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 6) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S487-2014
- Type: Subsidiary legislation / Order (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Order Date / Made: 14 July 2014
- Gazette Publication Mechanism: Order published in the Gazette
- Effective Date: 31 July 2014
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Legislation Identifier: SL 487/2014
- Key Legal Function: Confirms that specified loose-leaf editions are the “sole and only proper law” for specified Acts
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 6) Order 2014 is an administrative-but-legal instrument that determines which version of certain Singapore statutes will be treated as the authoritative “proper law” in courts and for all legal purposes. In practical terms, it is part of Singapore’s ongoing law revision and consolidation process, where the Law Revision Commissioners publish updated “loose-leaf” editions of Acts.
Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), the Commissioners prepare revised editions of legislation in loose-leaf form. These editions are intended to keep the law current and accessible, with updates incorporated over time. However, for the revised loose-leaf text to become the definitive legal reference in litigation, the President must make an order specifying that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law of Singapore for the relevant Acts.
This Order therefore does not “change” substantive law by amending provisions within Acts. Instead, it performs a foundational legal step: it designates the loose-leaf edition of the Acts listed in the Schedule as the authoritative version effective from a specified date (31 July 2014). For lawyers, this matters because the correct version of statutory text can affect interpretation, pleaded arguments, and outcomes in court.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory preconditions and purpose (preamble/“Whereas” clauses). The Order begins by setting out the legal background. 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 1st July 2014.” It then explains the mechanism under section 11(3): the Commissioners must transmit a copy of each loose-leaf edition to the President, and the President may, 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.
2. The operative designation of “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 in the Schedule “shall, with effect from 31st July 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.” This phrase is crucial. It means that, for the specified Acts, courts and all legal processes must treat the loose-leaf edition as the definitive statutory text, rather than other versions (for example, earlier printed editions or unofficial compilations).
3. Temporal effect: effective date of 31 July 2014. The Order specifies that the designation applies “with effect from 31st July 2014.” This temporal element is important for practitioners dealing with events spanning dates. If a matter concerns conduct or rights arising before or after the effective date, counsel must consider which statutory text was the “proper law” at the relevant time. While substantive amendments would typically be reflected in the Acts themselves, the “proper law” designation ensures that the correct consolidated text is used from the effective date.
4. Formalities: made by the President, signed by a senior officer. The Order includes the formal “Made this 14th day of July 2014. By Command” line and is signed by TAN KEE YONG, Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore. This reflects the constitutional and administrative process by which the President issues the order under the enabling statute. For legal research, the formalities also help confirm the authenticity and official status of the instrument.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a straightforward manner typical of “proper law” designation instruments under Cap. 275. It contains: (i) a title and status information; (ii) an enacting formula; (iii) a preamble (“Whereas” clauses) that explains the legal basis under sections 10 and 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act; (iv) an operative provision ordering that the loose-leaf editions listed in the Schedule become the sole and only proper law; and (v) a Schedule that identifies the Acts covered.
In the extract provided, the Schedule is referenced but not reproduced in full. In practice, the Schedule is where the practitioner must look to identify exactly which Acts are affected by this specific “No. 6” Order. The Schedule is therefore the most practically important component for determining the scope of the Order’s legal effect.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to courts and all persons dealing with the Acts listed in the Schedule. The phrase “in all courts and for all purposes” is broad: it covers judicial proceedings, administrative decisions, and any legal context in which the statutory text must be applied. It is not limited to government agencies or regulated industries; rather, it governs the legal reference point for the specified Acts.
In terms of practical impact, the Order affects lawyers, litigants, judges, and regulators by determining which version of the Acts is authoritative. Even though the Order is procedural in nature, it can be decisive in disputes about statutory interpretation—particularly where amendments, consolidation, or re-enactments have occurred and where different versions might otherwise be cited.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 6) Order 2014 may appear “technical,” it is legally significant because it addresses a core question: what is the proper law of Singapore for particular Acts? In statutory interpretation and litigation, the authoritative text is foundational. If counsel cites the wrong version, arguments may be undermined, and the court may disregard the cited text if it is not the “sole and only proper law.”
For practitioners, this Order is part of a broader ecosystem of law revision and consolidation. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate, up-to-date statutory texts. The loose-leaf system allows for timely incorporation of amendments. However, without a proper-law designation, there could be uncertainty about whether the loose-leaf edition is legally controlling. This Order removes that uncertainty by formally designating the loose-leaf edition as the definitive reference from 31 July 2014 for the Acts in the Schedule.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the Order also supports consistency. Regulators and enforcement bodies must apply the law as it stands in the authoritative text. By ensuring that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law, the Order helps prevent discrepancies between internal references and the version used in court.
Finally, the Order’s “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” status indicates that the instrument remains relevant for historical and research purposes. Even where the Order itself is not frequently litigated, it is important for legal research trails: it helps confirm which Acts were designated under which “No.” order and the effective date from which the loose-leaf edition became authoritative.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3), which provide the mechanism for publishing loose-leaf editions and designating them as the sole and only proper law.
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders — other “No.” orders that similarly designate loose-leaf editions for different sets of Acts and effective dates.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 6) Order 2014 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.