Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S92-2014
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275)
- Enacting Formula (core mechanism): President’s order under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Key Legal Effect: Designates the “loose-leaf edition” of specified Acts as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for those Acts
- Commencement / Effective Date: With effect from 28 February 2014
- Made Date: 17 February 2014
- Gazette Publication: Order published in the Gazette (as required by the authorising Act)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Legislation Identifier (as shown): No. S 92
- Timeline Reference: SL 92/2014; dated 21 Feb 2014
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2014 is a formal, procedural instrument that gives legal certainty to the status of a particular “revised edition” of Singapore’s statutes. In plain terms, it is the mechanism by which the President confirms that a set of Acts—published by the Law Revision Commissioners in a loose-leaf format—becomes the definitive version of the law for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
Singapore’s legislative system relies on accurate consolidation and revision of statutes. Over time, amendments, repeals, and re-enactments can make it difficult for practitioners and courts to determine which text is authoritative. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) addresses this by empowering the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of Acts. However, the revised text does not automatically become the “sole and only proper law” in all contexts unless the President makes an order under the relevant provision.
This 2014 Order therefore does not create new substantive legal rules (such as offences, regulatory duties, or civil rights). Instead, it performs a foundational legal function: it confirms which version of the Acts is to be treated as the proper law of Singapore “in all courts and for all purposes” for the Acts listed in the Schedule. That designation is crucial for litigation, statutory interpretation, and compliance, because it prevents disputes about whether a particular printed or updated version is authoritative.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory “whereas” basis and the role of the Law Revision Commissioners. The Order begins by explaining 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 1 February 2014. This matters because it ties the revised edition to a specific “as at” date. For practitioners, the “as in force on 1st February 2014” reference is a key anchor for determining the content of the revised Acts at the time of revision.
2. The President’s power under section 11(3) to designate the revised edition as the proper law. The Order then sets out the legal mechanism: section 11(3) provides that the Commissioners shall transmit to the President a copy of the loose-leaf edition of each of these Acts. The President may then, 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. This is the heart of the instrument. It converts an administrative publication (loose-leaf revision) into an authoritative legal text for all courts and purposes.
3. The operative clause: “sole and only proper law” and the effective date. The operative part provides that the loose-leaf edition of the Acts shall, with effect from 28 February 2014, be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. The phrase “sole and only proper law” is significant. It is designed to eliminate ambiguity and ensure that, for the specified Acts, courts and parties must rely on the designated revised edition rather than other competing versions (for example, earlier printed editions or unofficial compilations). The effective date (28 February 2014) is equally important: it indicates when the designation takes effect, which can matter for transitional disputes or for determining which text applies to events occurring around that period.
4. Formalities: “made” date and signature. The Order records that it was made on 17 February 2014 and signed by a senior official (TAN KEE YONG, Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore, “By Command”). While this may appear administrative, it is part of the validity and traceability of the instrument. For legal research and citation, the “No. S 92” and the date of making are useful for confirming the correct instrument and version.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a conventional legislative format for subsidiary instruments. It contains:
(a) An enacting formula that identifies the legal basis and the authority under which the President acts.
(b) A preamble of “whereas” clauses that explains the background: publication by the Law Revision Commissioners under section 10, transmission to the President, and the President’s power under section 11(3).
(c) A schedule reference (the Schedule is indicated in the text extract). The Schedule is where the specific Acts covered by the Order are listed. Although the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents, the legal effect is limited to the Acts “set out in the Schedule”.
(d) The operative provision (in the extract, the key sentence beginning “Now therefore it is hereby ordered…”), which sets the effective date and the “sole and only proper law” designation.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. It does not apply to a class of persons (such as employers, employees, consumers, or regulated entities) in the way substantive regulatory statutes do. Instead, it applies to the legal texts themselves—determining which version of those Acts is authoritative.
Practically, however, the Order affects everyone who relies on those Acts: courts, lawyers, government agencies, and private parties. In litigation, counsel must cite the proper law. In compliance and advisory work, practitioners must ensure that their interpretation is based on the authoritative revised edition. Because the Order designates the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law for the specified Acts, it indirectly governs how legal advice is formulated and how judicial reasoning should be grounded.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2014 is not a “substantive” statute, it is highly important for legal certainty. In practice, disputes can arise when different versions of a statute appear to conflict—particularly where amendments have been made but not yet reflected consistently across printed materials, databases, or unofficial compilations. By designating a single authoritative revised edition, the Order reduces the risk of interpretive errors and procedural arguments about which text is controlling.
For practitioners, the Order has three main practical impacts:
- Authoritative citation and interpretation: When citing the Acts covered by the Schedule, lawyers should ensure they are using the version that has been designated as the sole and only proper law as of the effective date.
- Litigation readiness: In court, parties may need to prove the applicable statutory text. The “sole and only proper law” designation supports the court’s reliance on the designated revised edition.
- Compliance accuracy: Agencies and regulated entities must interpret duties and powers by reference to the authoritative statutory text. The Order helps ensure that compliance advice aligns with the proper law.
Finally, the Order illustrates a broader constitutional and administrative principle in Singapore’s legal framework: the law revision process is not merely editorial. It is backed by a formal presidential mechanism that confers legal authority on revised texts. That mechanism is essential to maintaining the integrity of the legal system as statutes evolve.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular, sections 10 and 11(3) (publication of revised Acts and presidential designation of the revised edition as proper law).
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders — earlier or later orders performing the same “proper law” designation for different revision cycles (consult the legislation timeline for the relevant year).
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2014 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.