Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2014
- Act Code: RELA1983-S92-2014
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Enacting Authority: President of Singapore (by order published in the Gazette)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Legal Mechanism: Designation of the “loose-leaf edition” as the sole and only proper law of Singapore for specified Acts
- Commencement / Effective Date: 28 February 2014
- Date Made: 17 February 2014
- Gazette Instrument No.: S 92/2014
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the platform display)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2014 is a procedural but legally significant instrument. In plain terms, it confirms that a particular published “loose-leaf edition” of selected Acts—prepared by the Law Revision Commissioners—becomes the authoritative version of those Acts for use in all courts and for all purposes in Singapore.
This Order is made under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). The Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides a statutory framework for law revision and consolidation. It allows the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised versions of Acts in a loose-leaf format, and then—subject to the President’s order—those loose-leaf versions can be treated as the sole and only proper law.
Accordingly, the Order does not “change” the substantive content of the Acts in the way an amending Act would. Instead, it addresses legal certainty and authority: it ensures that when lawyers, courts, and government bodies refer to the Acts, they are referring to the designated official text that has been elevated to the status of the sole and only proper law for the specified Acts.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory basis: section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The Order is grounded in the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. The enacting formula (preamble) explains that, pursuant to section 10 of the 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. It then notes that section 11(3) empowers the Commissioners to transmit copies of the loose-leaf editions to the President, and allows the President—by order published in the Gazette—to specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts.
For practitioners, the key point is that the President’s order is the legal “switch” that upgrades the loose-leaf edition from a published revision to the authoritative legal text for courts and all purposes.
2. The operative designation: “sole and only proper law”
The operative clause 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.
This phrase is crucial. It means that, for the Acts covered by the Schedule, the loose-leaf edition is treated as the definitive legal text. In practice, this helps prevent disputes about which version is authoritative—particularly where there may be earlier printings, earlier revisions, or other forms of publication. It also supports consistent judicial interpretation and legal drafting.
3. Universality of effect: “in all courts and for all purposes”
The preamble (reflecting the language of section 11(3)) indicates that the President may specify that the loose-leaf edition shall be the sole and only proper law “in all courts and for all purposes.” While the operative clause in the extract focuses on the effective date and the “sole and only proper law” designation, the underlying statutory concept is that the designation is comprehensive.
For a lawyer, this matters for litigation strategy and legal research. When citing the law, counsel should ensure that references align with the proper law as designated by the relevant Revised Edition Order. This is especially important when dealing with older matters, transitional issues, or when the case spans periods before and after the effective date of the revised edition.
4. Administrative and formal elements
The Order includes formal elements typical of Singapore Gazette instruments: it states that it is made by the President, “by Command,” and is signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet (TAN KEE YONG). It also includes the internal reference “[AG/LLRD/RA/275/2014/1 Vol.1].” These details are not usually the focus of legal argument, but they confirm authenticity and traceability.
Notably, the extract shows “THE SCHEDULE” but does not reproduce the Schedule contents. In a full practitioner workflow, the Schedule is where you would identify the specific Acts covered by the Order. The legal effect of the “sole and only proper law” designation is limited to those Acts listed in the Schedule.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short Gazette Order with an enacting formula and an operative clause, followed by a Schedule. The Schedule is the critical component that identifies which Acts are included in the loose-leaf edition being designated as the sole and only proper law.
In terms of drafting style, the Order follows the typical pattern for Revised Edition Orders under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act:
- Preamble / Whereas clauses: explains the Law Revision Commissioners’ publication of the loose-leaf Acts as in force on a specified date (here, 1 February 2014) and the statutory mechanism under section 11(3).
- Operative provision: designates the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law with effect from a specified date (here, 28 February 2014).
- Schedule: lists the Acts covered.
Because the Order is brief, the practitioner’s attention should be directed to (i) the effective date and (ii) the Schedule contents. Together, these determine the scope of legal authority.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to the Acts listed in its Schedule. It does not impose obligations on a class of persons (such as employers, licensees, or the public). Instead, it governs the legal status of the text of those Acts.
Its practical reach is broad: the “sole and only proper law” designation applies in all courts and for all purposes. That means it affects everyone who relies on the Acts—judges, lawyers, government agencies, and litigants—because it determines which version of the law is authoritative for legal interpretation and application.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2014 is not a substantive amendment, it is important for legal certainty and the integrity of legal research. Singapore’s legal system relies on accurate, authoritative texts. When the President designates a revised loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, it reduces the risk that different parties might cite different versions of the same Act.
For practitioners, this Order is particularly relevant in three scenarios:
- Legal research and citation: ensuring that citations reflect the proper law as designated by the relevant Revised Edition Order.
- Litigation involving historical periods: when determining which version of an Act applied at a given time, counsel must consider the effective date (28 February 2014) and whether the case concerns conduct or events before or after that date.
- Cross-referencing and statutory interpretation: when interpreting provisions, lawyers should rely on the authoritative text to avoid discrepancies arising from earlier printings or unofficial compilations.
From an enforcement perspective, the Order’s effect is indirect but foundational. Courts must apply the law as it is properly constituted. By designating the loose-leaf edition as the sole and only proper law, the Order supports consistent judicial application and helps maintain uniformity across legal proceedings.
Finally, the Order illustrates how Singapore maintains its legislative corpus. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act provides a structured process for updating and revising Acts in a way that can be formally “locked in” as the authoritative legal text. This is a governance mechanism for the legal system’s textual accuracy, not merely a publishing exercise.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular sections 10 and 11(3), which provide the framework for loose-leaf publication and the President’s designation of the sole and only proper law.
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders for other years/instruments — as part of the broader timeline of revised editions (consult the legislation timeline to identify the relevant instrument for a given Act and date).
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.