Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2017
- Act Code: RELA1983-S662-2017
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Power Exercised: Powers conferred by section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Enacting Date: Dated 9 November 2017
- Commencement / Effective Date: 30 November 2017
- Instrument Number: No. S 662
- Publication Reference: SL 662/2017
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Document Form: Order specifying legal effect of the “loose-leaf edition” of Acts listed in the Schedule
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2017 is a procedural but legally significant instrument. In plain language, it confirms that a particular published form of Singapore’s Acts—specifically, the “loose-leaf edition” of the Acts named in the Schedule—becomes the single authoritative version of those Acts for use in courts and for all legal purposes.
This Order is made under section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). That enabling provision empowers the President to specify when the loose-leaf edition of specified Acts is to be treated as the sole and proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. The practical effect is to remove ambiguity about which printed or compiled version of the law should govern in litigation and legal administration.
Although the text excerpt provided does not reproduce the Schedule itself, the operative clause is clear: with effect from 30 November 2017, the loose-leaf edition of each Act set out in the Schedule is, “in all courts and for all purposes,” the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of those Acts. In other words, the Order is about legal certainty and authoritative citation—ensuring that practitioners and courts rely on the correct official compilation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The President’s specification under section 11(3)
The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act.” This matters because it ties the instrument to a specific statutory mechanism. Section 11(3) is designed to convert an official publication format (the loose-leaf edition) into the definitive legal text for the Acts listed.
2. The effective date and the scope of legal effect
The Order states that “with effect from 30 November 2017,” the loose-leaf edition of each Act in the Schedule is the “sole and only proper law of Singapore” in respect of those Acts. The phrase “sole and only proper law” is strong language. It indicates that, for the Acts covered, no other version—whether earlier printings, unofficial compilations, or other editorial formats—should be treated as the proper law for legal purposes.
3. Application “in all courts and for all purposes”
The Order expressly extends its effect beyond courtroom adjudication. It applies “in all courts and for all purposes.” This broad formulation is important for practitioners because it covers not only litigation but also administrative and transactional contexts where the “proper law” of Singapore must be applied—such as compliance, enforcement actions, drafting of legal documents, and statutory interpretation in advisory work.
4. The Schedule as the limiting device
The operative clause refers to “each of the Acts set out in the Schedule.” The Schedule therefore functions as the limiting device: only the Acts listed are covered by the “sole and only proper law” effect. For lawyers, this means the first practical step is to confirm whether the relevant Act is included in the Schedule to the 2017 Order (or whether a later order supersedes it for particular Acts). The Schedule is central to determining the authoritative text for a given piece of legislation.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, the Order is concise and follows a typical Singapore legislative instrument format:
(a) Enacting formula
The enacting formula identifies the statutory power (section 11(3) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act) and the authority making the Order (the President, acting through the formal instrument process).
(b) The operative provision
The operative statement is contained in the main body of the Order: it specifies the effective date (30 November 2017) and the legal consequence (the loose-leaf edition of the scheduled Acts is the sole and only proper law).
(c) The Schedule
The Schedule lists the Acts to which the Order applies. While the excerpt does not show the Schedule contents, the Schedule is the key to determining which Acts are affected.
(d) Formalities
The instrument includes the date (9 November 2017) and the signature/command line (including the Secretary to the Cabinet). These elements confirm the formal enactment process and provide citation metadata for official referencing.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Order does not “apply” to a class of persons in the way regulatory statutes do. Instead, it applies to the legal system’s use of legislative text. Its primary audience is the judiciary, legal practitioners, government agencies, and anyone who must determine what constitutes the “proper law” of Singapore for the Acts listed in the Schedule.
Because the Order states that the specified loose-leaf edition is the sole and only proper law “in all courts and for all purposes,” its effect is universal across legal contexts. Practically, it binds how courts interpret and apply the listed Acts, and it governs how lawyers should cite and rely on the official text when advising clients, preparing pleadings, or drafting statutory instruments and contracts that depend on statutory provisions.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. It provides authoritative legal certainty
In statutory practice, the most consequential question is often not what the law “seems to say,” but what the law officially says in the version that has legal force. The Order eliminates uncertainty by designating the loose-leaf edition as the definitive proper law for the scheduled Acts from the effective date. This reduces the risk of citing outdated or non-authoritative versions.
2. It affects litigation strategy and statutory interpretation
For litigators, the authoritative text matters for every stage of statutory interpretation: identifying the correct wording, locating amendments, and ensuring that the court is referred to the proper version. If a practitioner cites an incorrect edition, the court may disregard it or require correction. The Order therefore has a direct impact on the quality and defensibility of legal submissions.
3. It supports consistent administration and compliance
Beyond courts, agencies and practitioners must apply statutes accurately. The “for all purposes” language means that compliance frameworks, enforcement decisions, and legal risk assessments should be grounded in the proper law as designated by the Order. This is especially relevant where statutory obligations depend on precise wording, definitions, penalties, or procedural requirements.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 11(3), which authorises the President to specify when the loose-leaf edition of specified Acts becomes the sole and only proper law.
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Orders — subsequent or earlier orders that may designate the authoritative loose-leaf editions for other revision cycles or updates (consult the legislation timeline for the correct version applicable to a given Act).
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 11(3)) Order 2017 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.