Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2013
- Act Code: RELA1983-S357-2013
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Enacting instrument: Order made by the President
- Commencement (effective date): 30 June 2013
- Gazette basis: Published pursuant to section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Current status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key legal effect (high level): Confirms that the “loose-leaf edition” of specified Acts becomes the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts, for all courts and all purposes
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2013 is a procedural but legally significant instrument. In essence, it deals with how Singapore’s laws are “fixed” and treated as authoritative in courts. The Order is made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), which provides a mechanism for producing revised editions of Acts in a loose-leaf format and then converting that loose-leaf version into the official, sole and proper law for legal purposes.
In plain language, the Order tells the legal system that the particular revised loose-leaf versions of the Acts listed in its Schedule are the definitive versions to be used “in all courts and for all purposes.” This matters because, without such an order, there could be uncertainty about whether the revised loose-leaf compilation is merely an editorial format or whether it has full legal authority as the proper law.
The Order is therefore not a substantive law reform measure (it does not create new rights or offences). Instead, it is part of the legal infrastructure that ensures the accuracy, accessibility, and authoritative status of Singapore’s consolidated legislative text.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory “trigger” under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The operative logic of the Order is grounded in section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. That provision (as reflected in the enacting formula) contemplates a two-step process: (a) the Law Revision Commissioners publish Acts in loose-leaf form as at a specified date; and (b) the Commissioners transmit copies of those loose-leaf editions to the President. The President may then, by order published in the Gazette, specify that the loose-leaf editions shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
This structure is important for practitioners. It clarifies that the President’s order is the legal “switch” that elevates the loose-leaf compilation from a publication format into the authoritative legal text for courts and legal proceedings.
2. The “sole and only proper law” effect
The central legal consequence stated in the Order is that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts set out in the Schedule shall be, with effect from the commencement date, the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. The phrase “in all courts and for all purposes” is broad and leaves little room for argument that other versions (for example, earlier printed editions, unofficial consolidations, or non-authoritative compilations) could be treated as the proper law.
For lawyers, this means that when citing legislation, relying on the correct revised edition is not merely best practice—it is essential to ensure that the court is presented with the proper legal text. The “sole and only” language is designed to prevent disputes about which version controls.
3. Commencement and effective date
The Order provides that the loose-leaf editions become the sole and only proper law with effect from 30 June 2013. The effective date is critical in matters where amendments or revisions may have occurred around the same period. Practitioners should therefore check the relevant version timeline when dealing with events occurring before and after the effective date, particularly if there were transitional issues or if amendments were in force at different times.
Although the Order itself is about revision and authoritative status, the effective date can still affect how the law is read in litigation—especially where the revised edition incorporates editorial consolidation or reflects the state of the law “as in force” on the relevant cut-off date (here, the enacting formula references “as in force on 1st June 2013” for the loose-leaf publication).
4. The Schedule (Acts covered)
The extract provided indicates that the Order contains a Schedule listing the Acts to which the “sole and only proper law” effect applies. While the Schedule content is not reproduced in the extract, the Schedule is the practical heart of the instrument: it identifies which Acts are covered by the President’s order.
In practice, counsel should consult the Schedule to determine whether the Act relevant to their matter is included. If it is, then the revised loose-leaf edition specified by the Order is the authoritative text for that Act from the effective date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a standard Singapore legislative order with an enacting formula and an operative provision contained within the Schedule framework.
Enacting formula: The Order begins with “Whereas” clauses explaining the background: the Law Revision Commissioners have published the Acts in loose-leaf form as at a specified date; section 11(3) allows the Commissioners to transmit copies to the President; and the President may specify, by Gazette order, that the loose-leaf editions are the sole and only proper law.
Operative effect: The operative statement then provides that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts in the Schedule shall, with effect from 30 June 2013, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
Schedule: The Schedule identifies the Acts covered. For legal research and citation, the Schedule is essential because it determines the scope of the Order’s legal effect.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. Its legal effect is not directed at a particular class of persons (such as employers, employees, or regulated entities). Instead, it applies to the legal system’s treatment of the specified Acts as authoritative law.
Accordingly, it affects all users of the law: courts, legal practitioners, government agencies, and litigants. When a court determines a question of law under an Act covered by the Order, it must treat the loose-leaf revised edition as the sole and only proper law for all purposes from the effective date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2013 may appear administrative, it is crucial for legal certainty. Singapore’s legal system depends on authoritative legislative text. Over time, Acts are amended, consolidated, and revised. The Revised Edition of the Laws framework provides a controlled method to publish a consolidated version and then formally confirm its legal status.
For practitioners, the practical importance lies in citation accuracy and litigation risk management. Courts expect counsel to cite the proper law. If a lawyer relies on an outdated or non-authoritative version of an Act, it can lead to avoidable disputes, delays, or even adverse outcomes where the text differs. The “sole and only proper law” language is designed to eliminate such uncertainty.
Additionally, the Order underscores the need for lawyers to use the legislation portal’s versioning and timeline tools. The extract notes that the current version is “as at 27 Mar 2026” and directs users to check the legislation timeline to ensure the correct version is being viewed. This is a reminder that legal research is not static: the authoritative text may change as revised editions are issued and confirmed by subsequent orders.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — the authorising Act, including section 11(3) which empowers the President to confirm the legal authority of revised loose-leaf editions.
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders — similar President’s orders issued for other revision cycles (consult the legislation timeline for the relevant year and SL number).
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2013 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.