Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 7) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S551-2014
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation / statutory order (SL)
- SL Number: SL 551/2014
- Status: Current version (as at 27 Mar 2026)
- Date Made: 18 August 2014
- Effective Date: 31 August 2014
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Legal Mechanism: Section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Publication Basis: Loose-leaf editions published by the Law Revision Commissioners; order published in the Gazette
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 7) Order 2014 is an administrative-but-critical legal instrument that determines what counts as the “proper law” of Singapore for certain Acts, in all courts and for all purposes. In practical terms, it confirms that a particular loose-leaf compilation of specified Acts—published by the Law Revision Commissioners—becomes the sole and only proper law for those Acts.
This Order does not itself rewrite substantive legal rules (such as criminal offences, civil remedies, or regulatory duties). Instead, it operates at the level of legal status and evidential certainty: it “locks in” the revised edition so that courts and practitioners can rely on one authoritative text. The Order is therefore part of Singapore’s broader law revision and consolidation framework, designed to keep legislation accurate, accessible, and consistent.
Under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275), the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in loose-leaf form “as in force” on a specified date. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This Order is one such presidential order—specifically the “(No. 7)” batch—made to give legal effect to the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in its Schedule.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Legal basis and purpose (preamble and enabling framework). The Order is made “pursuant to section 10” of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, which empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish Acts in loose-leaf form as they stand on a particular date. The preamble then explains the next step: section 11(3) provides that the Commissioners must transmit a copy of each loose-leaf edition to the President, and the President may issue a Gazette order specifying that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts.
2. The operative effect: sole and only proper law. The central operative clause provides that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule shall, with effect from 31 August 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. This language is significant. It is not merely a statement of publication or convenience; it is a legal determination of authority. Once effective, the loose-leaf edition becomes the definitive legal text for the specified Acts.
3. Scope: “in all courts and for all purposes”. The Order’s effect is expressly broad. The phrase “in all courts and for all purposes” means that the revised loose-leaf edition is the authoritative reference point for judicial decision-making, legal advice, enforcement actions, and any other legal context where the “proper law” of an Act matters. This reduces the risk of disputes about which version is applicable—particularly where multiple printings, amendments, or earlier compilations might otherwise create confusion.
4. Timing and transition. The Order is “made on 18 August 2014” but takes effect on “31 August 2014.” This gap is typical for Gazette orders: it provides a clear transition date after which the revised loose-leaf edition becomes authoritative. Practitioners should therefore be alert to the effective date when dealing with matters that straddle the transition—especially if an issue arises about the text of an Act as it stood at a particular time.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a conventional legislative format for presidential orders under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. It includes:
(a) Enacting formula (the formal statement that the President orders the legal effect described);
(b) Whereas clauses (the legal and factual background: publication of loose-leaf Acts under section 10, transmission to the President, and the President’s power under section 11(3));
(c) The Schedule (the list of Acts covered by the Order); and
(d) Date and signature block (showing the date made and the signatory, typically a senior official acting under command).
Notably, the extract provided indicates that the Schedule contains the Acts set out therein, but the text you supplied does not reproduce the Schedule’s list. For a practitioner, the Schedule is the most important “locator” element: it identifies precisely which Acts are affected by the “sole and only proper law” designation.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. Its legal effect is not limited to a particular class of persons (such as regulated entities or offenders). Instead, it applies to the legal system’s treatment of those Acts: the loose-leaf edition becomes the authoritative legal text for courts and for all purposes.
Accordingly, the practical “audience” includes all users of the law—judges, lawyers, government agencies, enforcement bodies, and private parties—because they must rely on the proper law when interpreting statutory provisions, drafting pleadings, advising clients, and applying regulatory requirements. While the Order itself is not a regulatory rule directed at conduct, it shapes conduct indirectly by determining which legislative text is legally authoritative.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order may appear procedural, it is foundational to legal certainty. Singapore’s legislative landscape involves amendments over time. Without a mechanism to consolidate and authenticate the current text, practitioners could face difficulties in confirming whether a particular statutory provision has been updated, repealed, or re-enacted. The “sole and only proper law” designation ensures that there is one authoritative compilation for the specified Acts.
From a litigation and advisory perspective, this matters in at least three ways. First, it supports consistent statutory interpretation: courts and counsel can refer to the same authoritative text. Second, it reduces version-control disputes: parties cannot easily argue that an earlier or alternative compilation is the correct legal reference. Third, it improves efficiency in legal research: practitioners can rely on the revised loose-leaf edition as the definitive source rather than cross-checking multiple versions.
Finally, the Order underscores the institutional role of the Law Revision Commissioners and the President’s statutory function under Cap. 275. It reflects a constitutional-legal design: law revision is not merely editorial; it is formalised through a legal instrument that confers authoritative status. For practitioners, this means that “revised editions” should be treated as legally significant documents—not just publications.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3), which provide for loose-leaf publication and the President’s power to designate the revised edition as the sole and only proper law.
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders (other “No.” batches) — similar orders that designate other loose-leaf editions as proper law for other sets of Acts.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) (No. 7) Order 2014 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.