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
- Key Enabling Provision: Section 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983
- Enacting Formula: President makes the Order in exercise of powers under section 17(2)
- Order Citation: “No. S 974” (SL 974/2024)
- Date Made: 12 December 2024
- Date of Coming into Force: 18 December 2024
- Schedule: Contains the 2024 Revised Edition of the subsidiary legislation 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 but highly consequential instrument in Singapore’s legislative system. In essence, it brings into force a “revised edition” of subsidiary legislation—meaning an updated, consolidated version of selected legal instruments that incorporates amendments made up to a specified cut-off date.
Although the Order itself is brief, it performs an important legal function: it authorises the publication and effective operation of a revised compilation of subsidiary legislation. This helps practitioners, courts, and the public rely on a single authoritative text rather than piecing together multiple amendments across time.
In practical terms, the Order is part of the broader framework under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983. That Act provides the legal machinery for producing revised editions of legislation. Section 17(2) is the specific power used here to make an Order that sets the coming-into-force date for the revised edition and confirms that the revised text incorporates amendments up to a defined date.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation). The first provision identifies the instrument. It states that the document is the “Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(2)) Order 2024.” This is standard drafting, but it matters for legal referencing and for ensuring that the correct instrument is cited when determining the effective date and scope of the revised edition.
Section 2 (Date of coming into force and incorporation of amendments). The core operative provision is section 2. It provides that the “2024 Revised Edition of the subsidiary legislation set out in the Schedule” (which incorporates all amendments up to 18 December 2024) comes into force on 18 December 2024. This clause does two things at once:
- Fixes the effective date: the revised edition becomes legally operative on 18 December 2024.
- Defines the amendment cut-off: the revised edition incorporates amendments made up to (and including) 18 December 2024.
The Schedule (scope of the revised edition). While the extract provided does not list the specific subsidiary legislation in the Schedule, the Schedule is the mechanism by which the Order identifies which instruments are included in the revised edition. For practitioners, the Schedule is where the “what” lives: it determines the exact set of subsidiary legislation that has been consolidated into the 2024 revised edition.
Enacting formula and constitutional/legal authority. The enacting formula states that the President makes the Order in exercise of powers conferred by section 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983. This matters because it confirms that the revised edition is not merely an administrative reprint; it is given legal effect through the statutory authority of the Act. In other words, the revised edition is treated as an authoritative legal text for the purposes of interpretation and application.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a conventional, minimal format typical of revised-edition instruments:
- Enacting Formula: identifies the statutory power (section 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983) and the President’s role.
- Section 1 (Citation): names the Order.
- Section 2 (Date of coming into force): sets the effective date and confirms the amendment cut-off.
- Schedule: lists the subsidiary legislation included in the revised edition.
Notably, the Order does not create new regulatory obligations by itself. Instead, it “switches on” a consolidated legal text. The substantive legal rules are contained in the subsidiary legislation that appears in the Schedule and in the revised edition itself.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies broadly to anyone who relies on Singapore’s subsidiary legislation—courts, tribunals, government agencies, regulated entities, and members of the public. However, the Order’s direct legal effect is on the form and authoritative status of the revised edition, rather than on the underlying substantive duties or offences.
Practitioners should treat the revised edition as the authoritative version of the subsidiary legislation as at the coming-into-force date (18 December 2024), subject to later amendments. Therefore, the practical “applicability” is temporal: the revised edition governs the interpretation and application of the included subsidiary legislation from 18 December 2024 onward, until superseded by subsequent amendments or later revised editions.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is short, it is important for legal certainty and efficient legal practice. Singapore’s legislative landscape includes numerous subsidiary instruments that are amended over time. Without revised editions, lawyers would need to track amendments across multiple dates and versions, increasing the risk of citing outdated provisions or missing changes.
The Order addresses these risks by ensuring that a consolidated “2024 Revised Edition” exists and is legally effective. By incorporating amendments up to 18 December 2024, it provides a reliable baseline for legal research and drafting. For litigation and advisory work, this reduces time spent reconciling different amendment histories and improves the accuracy of statutory interpretation.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the revised edition can also affect how quickly regulators and regulated parties identify the current legal position. While the Order does not itself impose new obligations, it can change which version of a subsidiary regulation is the correct reference point. That matters in contexts such as:
- Regulatory compliance: ensuring that internal policies and compliance checklists align with the current consolidated text.
- Legal submissions: citing the correct version of subsidiary provisions in pleadings, affidavits, and written submissions.
- Contracting and risk allocation: where contractual obligations reference “applicable laws” or specific regulatory requirements.
- Due diligence: verifying the legal framework governing a regulated activity at a particular time.
Finally, the Order demonstrates the operational importance of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983. It shows how the legal system maintains an up-to-date and authoritative legislative record through formal instruments rather than informal republication.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983 (authorising Act; particularly section 17(2))
- Timeline (legislation timeline referenced in the platform interface to ensure correct version selection)
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.