Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2012
- Act Code: RELA1983-S110-2012
- Type: Subsidiary legislation notification (SL)
- SL Number: S 110/2012
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Key Legal Basis: Section 17(8) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Effective Date: 31 March 2012
- Made Date: 22 March 2012
- Gazette Instrument: Notification in the Gazette
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Primary Subject Matter: 2012 Revised Edition of the Child Care Centres Regulations (Rg 1) (S 160/88), as in force on 1 March 2012
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2012 is a short but legally significant instrument. In plain terms, it tells courts and legal practitioners which version of a particular set of subsidiary legislation should be treated as the authoritative “Statute Book of Singapore” for that instrument.
Specifically, the notification relates to the 2012 Revised Edition of the Child Care Centres Regulations (Regulations made under the Child Care Centres Act). The notification is made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), which provides a mechanism for law revision and consolidation. When the Law Revision Commissioners publish a revised edition, section 17(8) allows them to declare that the revised edition will be the sole and proper statute book for the relevant subsidiary legislation.
Although the text is brief, the practical effect is substantial: it reduces uncertainty about which version of the regulations applies in legal proceedings. Once the notification takes effect, the revised edition becomes the definitive reference for “all courts and for all purposes” in relation to that piece of subsidiary legislation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The notification’s legal trigger: section 17(5) and section 17(8) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The notification begins by referencing the legislative process. Under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners cause a revised edition to be published in loose-leaf form. Here, the relevant revised edition is the 2012 Revised Edition of the Child Care Centres Regulations (Rg 1) (S 160/88), made under the Child Care Centres Act, and stated to be “as in force on 1st March 2012”.
Then, the notification explains that under section 17(8), the Commissioners may issue a Gazette notification specifying that the revised edition shall be the sole and only proper statute book of Singapore for that subsidiary legislation. This is the core power being exercised.
2. The substantive declaration: “sole and only proper Statute Book”
The operative part of the notification is the declaration that the 2012 Revised Edition of the Child Care Centres Regulations shall, with effect from 31 March 2012, be the sole and only proper Statute Book of Singapore in respect of that piece of subsidiary legislation.
The phrase “sole and only proper Statute Book” is crucial. It is designed to eliminate disputes about whether a court should refer to an earlier version, an amending instrument, or a different compilation. The notification effectively “locks in” the revised edition as the authoritative text for legal purposes.
3. Scope of effect: “in all courts and for all purposes”
The notification expressly states that the revised edition is the sole and only proper statute book “in all courts and for all purposes”. This language is broad and practitioner-focused. It means that, whether the regulations are being applied in civil proceedings, criminal matters, administrative disputes, or any other legal context, the revised edition is the correct reference point.
For lawyers, this matters when preparing submissions, drafting pleadings, advising clients, or citing the regulations. It also matters for compliance work: while operational compliance may require reading the current regulatory requirements, the notification ensures that the legally authoritative text is the revised edition for the relevant period.
4. Formalities and making clause
The notification is “made” on 22 March 2012 by the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission, Sundaresh Menon. The instrument includes a reference code [AG/RSL/1/2012]. While these are formal elements, they confirm the instrument’s authenticity and the authority under which it was issued.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This notification is structured as a Gazette instrument with an enacting formula and a short operative declaration. Unlike a typical regulatory statute with multiple sections and detailed substantive rules, this instrument functions as a versioning and authority declaration.
In practical terms, it contains:
- Recitals / Whereas clauses explaining the background law revision process (publication under section 17(5), and the power under section 17(8)).
- Operative clause specifying the effect date and declaring the revised edition as the sole and only proper statute book.
- Making clause identifying the date and the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission.
Because the notification is not a regulatory code itself, it does not set out childcare regulatory obligations. Instead, it determines which compiled text is authoritative for the Child Care Centres Regulations.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The notification does not apply to “persons” in the way that substantive regulatory legislation does. Rather, it applies to courts and legal purposes by designating the authoritative statute book for the relevant subsidiary legislation.
That said, the practical impact is felt by a wide range of stakeholders connected to the Child Care Centres regulatory regime—such as childcare centre operators, compliance officers, parents and guardians involved in disputes, and government agencies responsible for enforcement. When those stakeholders litigate or seek legal advice, the authoritative text of the regulations is determined by this notification (for the period and subject matter it covers).
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. It provides certainty and uniformity in legal citation and application
One of the most important functions of law revision notifications is to prevent confusion about which version of legislation is correct. Without such a mechanism, parties might cite different compilations or argue over whether amendments are reflected in the text being relied upon. By declaring the revised edition to be the sole and only proper statute book, the notification supports consistent legal reasoning across courts.
2. It affects litigation strategy and legal drafting
For practitioners, the notification can be decisive when drafting submissions or preparing legal opinions. If counsel cites the wrong version of the regulations, the citation may be challenged as inaccurate or incomplete. While courts may still interpret the law substantively, the notification strengthens the expectation that the revised edition is the correct authoritative reference for “all purposes”.
In practice, this means that legal teams should ensure that their internal libraries, citation tools, and compliance manuals align with the revised edition that has been designated as the sole and proper statute book for the relevant subsidiary legislation.
3. It supports the broader law revision framework under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
This notification is part of a systematic approach to maintaining Singapore’s legal corpus. The Revised Edition of the Laws Act enables the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions and then, through notifications like this one, to declare which revised texts are authoritative. This reduces the administrative burden of tracking numerous amendments and helps maintain an accessible, consolidated legal record.
From a governance perspective, the notification also reflects the legal system’s commitment to clarity: the law revision process is not merely editorial; it has legal consequences for how legislation is treated in proceedings.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) (including section 17(5) and section 17(8))
- Child Care Centres Act (Chapter 37A)
- 2012 Revised Edition of the Child Care Centres Regulations (Rg 1) (S 160/88)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2012 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.