Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(2)) Order 2025
- Act Code: RELA1983-S335-2025
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983
- Key Legal Power: 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)
- Made Date: 22 May 2025
- Coming into Force: 2 June 2025 (for the 2025 Revised Edition set out in the Schedule)
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Legislation Identifier (as shown): No. S 335
- Schedule Content: The 2025 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation incorporating amendments up to 2 June 2025
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(2)) Order 2025 is a procedural but highly consequential instrument in Singapore’s legislative framework. In essence, it provides for the coming into force of a “revised edition” of subsidiary legislation—meaning a consolidated, updated version of selected legal instruments that incorporates amendments made up to a specified cut-off date.
Unlike substantive statutes that create new legal rights or offences, this Order operates as a mechanism for legal consolidation and publication. It ensures that practitioners and the public can rely on an authoritative, up-to-date text of subsidiary legislation, rather than having to piece together amendments from multiple sources. The Order is made under section 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983, which empowers the President to bring into force revised editions of subsidiary legislation.
In practical terms, the Order confirms that the “2025 Revised Edition of the subsidiary legislation set out in the Schedule” becomes effective on 2 June 2025. The Schedule (not fully reproduced in the extract provided) is the key: it identifies the body of subsidiary legislation that is being revised and consolidated, and it states that the revised edition incorporates all amendments up to 2 June 2025.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation). The Order’s first provision sets out its short title: it is the “Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(2)) Order 2025.” This is standard drafting, but it matters for referencing the instrument in legal documents, submissions, and citations.
Section 2 (Date of coming into force of the 2025 Revised Edition of subsidiary legislation). This is the substantive operative clause in the extract. It provides that the 2025 Revised Edition of the subsidiary legislation set out in the Schedule—incorporating all amendments up to 2 June 2025—comes into force on 2 June 2025. This clause performs two critical functions:
- It fixes the effective date for the revised edition. From that date, the revised text is the authoritative version for the instruments included in the Schedule.
- It defines the amendment cut-off (“incorporating all amendments up to 2 June 2025”). This ensures that the revised edition reflects the law as amended through that date, reducing uncertainty about whether later amendments are included.
Enacting formula and constitutional authority. The enacting formula states that, “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983, the President makes the following Order.” This indicates that the Order is not merely administrative; it is a formal legal act grounded in statutory authority. For practitioners, this matters because it confirms the legal basis for the revised edition’s authority and the mechanism by which it becomes effective.
Schedule as the scope-defining element. While the extract does not reproduce the Schedule’s contents, the Schedule is central to understanding what is covered. The Order refers to “the subsidiary legislation set out in the Schedule.” In other words, the revised edition is not necessarily every piece of subsidiary legislation in existence; it is the subset identified in the Schedule. For legal work—especially litigation, compliance, and regulatory interpretation—identifying whether a particular regulation or set of subsidiary instruments is included in the Schedule is essential.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a conventional format for subsidiary legislation orders made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983. It contains:
- An enacting formula establishing the legal authority (section 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983).
- Citation provision (Section 1) identifying the Order.
- Coming into force provision (Section 2) specifying the effective date and the amendment cut-off.
- The Schedule which sets out the revised edition of the subsidiary legislation being brought into force.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the most important “structure” is not the numbering of sections, but the relationship between the Order and the Schedule. The Order provides the legal mechanism and effective date; the Schedule provides the substantive list of instruments that are consolidated and updated.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself does not directly regulate particular persons or activities. Instead, it applies indirectly by determining the authoritative version of subsidiary legislation that governs regulated conduct. Therefore, its practical applicability extends to:
- Regulated entities subject to subsidiary regulations included in the 2025 Revised Edition;
- Individuals whose rights, obligations, or duties arise under those subsidiary instruments;
- Government agencies responsible for administering and enforcing the subsidiary legislation; and
- Legal practitioners and courts relying on the revised text for interpretation and application.
Because the Schedule determines which subsidiary legislation is revised, the scope of “who it applies to” depends on the subject matter of the instruments included. For example, if the Schedule includes regulations relating to licensing, safety, employment, or financial compliance, then the Order’s effect will be felt by those who fall within those regulatory regimes.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is brief, it plays a significant role in maintaining the clarity and reliability of Singapore’s legal system. Singapore’s legislative landscape includes numerous amendments over time. Without periodic revised editions, practitioners would face a persistent risk of relying on outdated text or missing amendments that have not yet been incorporated into the consolidated version.
This Order addresses that risk by bringing into force a revised edition that incorporates amendments up to a defined date. The result is a more stable and accessible legal reference point. For lawyers, this reduces time spent cross-checking amendment histories and improves confidence when drafting submissions, advising clients, or preparing compliance documentation.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the effective date (2 June 2025) is crucial. Regulatory obligations and enforcement actions often hinge on the exact wording of subsidiary legislation. If a revised edition changes formatting, numbering, or consolidates amendments, practitioners must ensure that they are citing the correct version. The Order’s “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” status also signals that the legal information system has updated the consolidated text, but the key operative date for the 2025 revised edition remains 2 June 2025.
Finally, because the Order is made under section 17(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983, it reflects the formal legal process by which revised editions gain authority. This is important in disputes where the accuracy of the legal text is contested. The Order provides a clear legal basis for the revised edition’s status as the authoritative version for the instruments in the Schedule.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act 1983 (authorising Act; specifically section 17(2))
- Legislation Timeline (for verifying the correct version as at a given date, as referenced in the legislation interface)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(2)) Order 2025 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.