Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2013
- Act Code: RELA1983-S453-2013
- Type: Subsidiary legislation notification (SL)
- Instrument No.: S 453/2013
- Enacting Body: Law Revision Commissioners
- Enacting Formula / Authority: Made pursuant to section 17(8) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Date Made: 19 July 2013
- Commencement / Effect Date: 31 July 2013
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Schedule: Specifies the subsidiary legislation covered (subsidiary legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2013 is a procedural “statute book” notification. In plain terms, it tells courts, lawyers, and the public which version of certain subsidiary legislation should be treated as the authoritative legal text for legal proceedings.
Singapore’s legal system periodically consolidates and revises legislation into revised editions. This notification is tied to the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), which empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of subsidiary legislation in a loose-leaf format. The key legal function of this notification is to “lock in” the revised edition as the sole and proper statute book for specified subsidiary legislation.
Importantly, this is not a substantive reform of policy or rights. Instead, it is about legal certainty and citation: once the notification takes effect, the specified 2013 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation becomes the only proper statute book “in all courts and for all purposes” for the covered pieces of subsidiary legislation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The legal basis: section 17(8) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
The notification is made under section 17(8) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). The preamble explains that, under section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners caused the 2013 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation to be published in loose-leaf form, reflecting the subsidiary legislation “as in force on 1st July 2013.” The notification then uses section 17(8) to specify that this revised edition should be treated as the sole and only proper statute book for the relevant subsidiary legislation.
2. The “sole and only proper Statute Book” effect
The operative effect is expressed in the central legal statement: the Law Revision Commissioners specify that the 2013 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall, with effect from the commencement date, be the “sole and only proper Statute Book of Singapore” in respect of the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule. The phrase “in all courts and for all purposes” is significant. It is designed to eliminate arguments about which text is authoritative—particularly where earlier versions, amendments, or loose-leaf supplements might otherwise be cited.
3. Commencement: effective from 31 July 2013
The notification states that the revised edition becomes the sole and proper statute book “with effect from 31st July 2013.” This is a practical cut-off date. For practitioners, the date matters when determining which version of subsidiary legislation applies for citation and for the legal text to rely on in pleadings, submissions, and advice.
4. The Schedule: what is covered
Although the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule contents, the notification clearly indicates that it covers “subsidiary legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule.” In other words, the Schedule identifies the parent Acts whose subsidiary legislation is brought within the “sole and only proper statute book” regime. For legal work, the Schedule is the gateway: you must identify whether the specific subsidiary legislation you are dealing with falls within the Acts listed in the Schedule. If it does, the 2013 Revised Edition text is the authoritative statute book for that subsidiary legislation from 31 July 2013 onward (subject to later revisions and subsequent notifications).
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This notification is structured in a conventional legislative format for Singapore statute book notifications:
(a) Title and status: It identifies the instrument as the “Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2013” and indicates it is current as at 27 March 2026.
(b) Enacting formula and preamble: The preamble (“Whereas…”) explains the background—publication of the 2013 Revised Edition in loose-leaf form under section 17(5) and the power to designate it as the sole proper statute book under section 17(8).
(c) Operative provision: The notification then states the designation and the effective date (31 July 2013).
(d) Schedule: The Schedule identifies the Acts under which the subsidiary legislation is made, thereby defining the scope of the designation.
(e) Signature and formalities: It is “Made” on 19 July 2013 by the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission, Steven Chong, and includes the reference “[AG/RSL/1/2012].”
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the notification is addressed to the legal system rather than to a class of regulated persons, it applies broadly to everyone who uses the law in courts and for legal purposes. That includes judges, magistrates, lawyers, government agencies, and parties to litigation who must cite and rely on the correct legal text.
Substantively, its effect is limited to the subsidiary legislation specified by reference to the Acts in the Schedule. Therefore, it does not “regulate” conduct directly. Instead, it governs which version of the subsidiary legislation is authoritative for legal proceedings. Practitioners should treat it as a citation and legal certainty instrument: it tells you what to treat as the proper statute book for the covered subsidiary legislation.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
For practitioners, the practical importance of this notification lies in legal certainty and citation discipline. In litigation and compliance work, the correct legal text must be used. Where subsidiary legislation has been revised and reissued, disputes can arise about whether an older version, an amendment text, or a consolidated revised edition is the proper reference point. By designating the 2013 Revised Edition as the “sole and only proper Statute Book” for the covered subsidiary legislation, the notification reduces the risk of citation errors and procedural arguments.
Second, the notification supports efficient adjudication. Courts can rely on a single authoritative source for the text of the subsidiary legislation. This is especially relevant for subsidiary legislation, which often contains detailed regulatory requirements and frequently changes through amendments. The “all courts and for all purposes” language is intended to prevent fragmentation of authority across different editions.
Third, it has a timing and version-control impact. The effective date (31 July 2013) provides a clear point from which the revised edition becomes authoritative. In practice, lawyers must ensure that when they cite subsidiary legislation, they cite the correct revised edition text corresponding to the relevant time period and the current consolidated legal database. Even though this notification is “current” as at 27 March 2026, later revisions may supersede or update the statute book designation for other periods. Accordingly, practitioners should always check the legislation timeline and the current version status when preparing advice or submissions.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5) and section 17(8)
- Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notifications for other years (as applicable) — to confirm which revised edition is designated for particular periods
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2013 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.