Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 6) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S487-2014
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Legal Basis: Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Date Made: 14 July 2014
- Gazette/Publication Mechanism: Order published in the Gazette
- Effective Date (as stated): 31 July 2014
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Document Identifier (as shown): SL 487/2014
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 6) Order 2014 is not a “substantive” law that creates new rights or offences. Instead, it is a legal mechanism used in Singapore to determine what version of certain Acts counts as the “proper law” for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
In plain terms, the Order deals with the status of a “loose-leaf edition” of specified Acts. Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in a loose-leaf format reflecting the law as at a particular date. This Order then enables the President to declare that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts—meaning that courts and legal practitioners should treat that loose-leaf compilation as authoritative.
Accordingly, the practical importance of this Order lies in legal certainty and consistency. It ensures that when lawyers cite provisions, rely on statutory text, or argue statutory interpretation, they are referring to the version that is officially recognised as the proper law. Without such declarations, there could be confusion about whether the printed statute, the loose-leaf compilation, or later amendments are the controlling text for particular Acts.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory “whereas” framework (purpose and authority). The Order begins with recitals explaining the legal pathway. 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 July 2014. This is a key point: the loose-leaf edition is a curated compilation reflecting the law at a specific “as at” date.
2. The President’s power under section 11(3). The recitals further explain that section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides for the Commissioners to transmit a copy of the loose-leaf edition to the President. The President may then, by an 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.
3. The operative declaration: “sole and only proper law”. The operative part of the Order declares that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall, with effect from 31 July 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This phrase is legally significant. It indicates exclusivity: for the specified Acts, the loose-leaf edition is not merely persuasive or one of several possible authorities—it is the definitive statutory text for all courts and all purposes.
4. Timing and legal effect. The Order is made on 14 July 2014 and states that the declaration takes effect from 31 July 2014. For practitioners, the effective date matters because it determines when the loose-leaf edition becomes the controlling “proper law.” If a matter is litigated or a legal act occurs around the transition period, counsel may need to confirm which version is proper for the relevant time frame and for the specific Acts covered by the Schedule.
Note on the Schedule. The extract provided shows the heading “THE SCHEDULE” but does not reproduce the list of Acts. In practice, the Schedule is essential: it identifies which Acts are covered by the declaration. For legal work—especially citation, statutory interpretation, and compliance—practitioners must consult the Schedule to confirm whether a particular Act is among those whose proper law is being set by this Order.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a conventional format for Singapore legal instruments of this type:
1. Title and status. It identifies the instrument and indicates its current status (current version as at 27 Mar 2026).
2. Enacting formula and recitals. The instrument includes an enacting formula and “whereas” clauses. These recitals establish the factual and legal background: the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication of the loose-leaf edition under section 10, and the President’s power under section 11(3).
3. Operative provision (the declaration). The core legal effect is the declaration that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law for the Acts in the Schedule, effective from 31 July 2014.
4. The Schedule. The Schedule is the key component for scope. It lists the Acts to which the declaration applies. Even though the extract does not show the contents, the Schedule is central to determining applicability.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the Order is addressed to the legal system rather than to a particular class of persons, its effect is broad. The declaration that the loose-leaf edition is the “sole and only proper law” applies in all courts and for all purposes. That means it binds the judiciary, legal practitioners, and administrative decision-makers who must apply statutory provisions.
In practical terms, it applies to anyone who relies on the statutory text of the Acts listed in the Schedule—lawyers drafting pleadings, counsel advising clients, regulators interpreting statutory powers, and courts determining rights and obligations under those Acts. The Order does not create duties or liabilities by itself; instead, it determines which version of the Acts is authoritative.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
First, the Order promotes legal certainty. Singapore’s legal system depends on accurate, authoritative statutory text. By declaring the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law for specified Acts, the Order reduces the risk of citation errors and interpretive disputes arising from competing versions of legislation.
Second, it supports uniformity in legal practice. Courts and practitioners must be able to rely on a single controlling text. When the proper law is clearly identified, arguments about what the statute “says” become more focused on interpretation rather than on version control.
Third, it has practical litigation and compliance impact. In disputes involving statutory interpretation, counsel often need to quote provisions precisely and ensure that the cited text is the proper law. Similarly, in compliance contexts—licensing, regulatory obligations, statutory procedures—organisations must ensure they are working from the correct statutory text. This Order helps ensure that the loose-leaf compilation reflecting the law as at 1 July 2014 is the authoritative reference point for the Acts in the Schedule from 31 July 2014 onward.
Finally, the Order illustrates an important feature of Singapore’s legislative maintenance process: the Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides a structured approach to consolidating and revising statutory texts. Orders like this one are the “bridge” between revision work (loose-leaf publication) and legal authority (proper law status).
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular, sections 10 and 11(3) governing the publication of loose-leaf editions and the President’s power to declare them the proper law.
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.