Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(2)) Order 2024
- Act Code: RELA1983-S974-2024
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983 (s 17(2))
- Enacting Formula (Authority): President makes the Order in exercise of powers under s 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983
- Key Instrument Number: No. S 974
- Made Date: 12 December 2024
- Date of Coming into Force: 18 December 2024
- Revision Coverage: 2024 Revised Edition of the subsidiary legislation set out in the Schedule, incorporating amendments up to 18 December 2024
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(2)) Order 2024 is a procedural and publication-focused instrument. In plain terms, it authorises and brings into force a “revised edition” of certain Singapore subsidiary legislation—meaning the laws are consolidated into an updated publication that reflects amendments made up to a specified cut-off date.
Unlike substantive regulatory statutes (which create new duties, offences, or regulatory regimes), this Order primarily concerns the official compilation and legal status of the revised text. It ensures that practitioners, courts, and the public can rely on a single, authoritative version of the subsidiary legislation, rather than piecing together multiple amendments.
The Order operates under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983. Section 17(2) of that Act empowers the President to make an Order bringing into force a revised edition of subsidiary legislation. This 2024 Order therefore functions as the “switch” that activates the revised compilation set out in the Schedule.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Citation and identification (Order, s 1): The Order provides its own citation. This is important for legal referencing and for distinguishing the 2024 revised edition from earlier revised editions or subsequent updates. In practice, lawyers cite the relevant revised edition when relying on the consolidated text.
Coming into force and revision cut-off (Order, s 2): The central operative provision is section 2, which states that the 2024 Revised Edition of the subsidiary legislation set out in the Schedule—incorporating all amendments up to 18 December 2024—comes into force on 18 December 2024. This provision does two things at once: (1) it fixes the effective date; and (2) it defines the amendment “cut-off” for what is included in the revised edition.
Schedule-based incorporation: Although the extract provided does not list the specific subsidiary legislation items in the Schedule, the legal mechanism is clear: the Schedule contains the set of subsidiary legislation that is being revised and consolidated. The revised edition is therefore not a general revision of all subsidiary legislation, but a defined set “set out in the Schedule.” For practitioners, this means the scope must be checked by reviewing the Schedule in the official document.
Enacting authority and formalities: The enacting formula confirms that the President makes the Order in exercise of powers under section 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983. The Order also records the “Made on” date (12 December 2024) and the signatory (Secretary to the Cabinet, Singapore). These formalities matter for validity and for verifying that the instrument was properly made under the statutory authority.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a short, standard format typical of revised-edition instruments.
First, the Order contains preliminary provisions: a citation provision (s 1) and a coming-into-force provision (s 2). These provisions establish the identity of the instrument and the effective date of the revised edition.
Second, the Order contains a Schedule: the Schedule is the substantive “container” listing the subsidiary legislation that is being revised. The Schedule is crucial because it determines which regulations, orders, or other subsidiary instruments are included in the 2024 revised edition compilation.
Third, the document includes publication and status information: the online legislative record indicates that the instrument is the “current version” as at 27 March 2026, and it provides a timeline showing the version date (16 Dec 2024) and the instrument number (SL 974/2024). While these are not substantive legal requirements, they are important for practitioners ensuring they are consulting the correct version.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
On its face, the Order does not impose obligations on regulated persons in the way that substantive regulatory legislation does. Instead, it applies to the legal system’s use of subsidiary legislation by establishing the authoritative revised text that will be relied upon in legal proceedings and by the public.
Accordingly, the practical “audience” includes: (1) lawyers and law firms who need to cite correct consolidated provisions; (2) judges and court officers who must apply the law as it stands in the revised edition; (3) government agencies responsible for enforcement and compliance; and (4) members of the public who rely on official publications to understand their legal position.
Because the Order’s effect is to bring into force the revised edition of the subsidiary legislation listed in the Schedule, its impact is indirect but significant: it determines which version of the subsidiary legislation is treated as the authoritative consolidated text as of 18 December 2024.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is brief, it plays an essential role in legal certainty. Singapore’s legislative framework is amended over time through numerous subsidiary instruments. Without revised editions, practitioners would face a constant risk of citing outdated text or missing amendments. This Order helps mitigate that risk by bringing into force a consolidated revised edition that incorporates amendments up to a defined date.
For legal practice, the key value is citation accuracy and reliability. When advising clients, drafting pleadings, or preparing submissions, lawyers must ensure that the statutory language they rely on reflects the current consolidated form. The revised edition provides a stable reference point, particularly where amendments have been made through multiple instruments.
For enforcement and adjudication, the Order supports consistency. Regulatory agencies and courts need a dependable text for interpretation. By specifying that the revised edition incorporates amendments up to 18 December 2024 and comes into force on that date, the Order clarifies the temporal boundary for what is included in the official consolidated version.
Practical caution: because the Order’s Schedule determines the exact subsidiary legislation revised, practitioners should not assume it covers all subsidiary legislation. Where a matter turns on a particular regulation or set of regulations, the lawyer should check whether that instrument is included in the Schedule and then consult the revised edition text as of the effective date.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983 (authorising Act; particularly section 17(2))
- Timeline / Legislation history resources (for version verification and amendment tracking)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(2)) Order 2024 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.