Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2013
- Act Code: RELA1983-S453-2013
- Type: Subsidiary legislation notification (SL)
- Enacting Formula / Authority: Law Revision Commissioners (Chairman: Steven Chong)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275)
- Gazette / Instrument Number: No. S 453
- Publication Date (as shown): 23 July 2013
- Commencement / Effective date: 31 July 2013
- Current status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key legal mechanism: Section 17(8) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 17(8)) Notification 2013 is a procedural but highly consequential instrument in Singapore’s legislative framework. In plain terms, it declares that a particular published compilation—namely the 2013 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under specified Acts—becomes the sole and only proper Statute Book for those subsidiary legislative instruments, for use in all courts and for all purposes.
This notification sits within the broader “law revision” system established by the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). That Act empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to produce revised editions of legislation (including subsidiary legislation) in a consolidated, authoritative form. The 2013 Revised Edition is produced based on the state of subsidiary legislation as at a specified cut-off date (here, “as in force on 1st July 2013”). The notification then “locks in” the revised compilation as the definitive reference point for legal proceedings.
Although the text excerpt provided does not reproduce the full Schedule listing the Acts covered, the operative effect is clear: after the specified effective date (31 July 2013), lawyers and courts must treat the 2013 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation (for the Acts in the Schedule) as the only proper Statute Book for the relevant subsidiary legislation. This reduces ambiguity, prevents reliance on outdated loose-leaf versions, and supports consistent judicial interpretation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “sole and only proper Statute Book” declaration (Section 17(8) mechanism). The core provision is the declaration that the 2013 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule “shall, in all courts and for all purposes, be the sole and only proper Statute Book of Singapore” in respect of the pieces of subsidiary legislation covered. This is not merely a recommendation; it is a legal directive affecting how legislation must be cited and relied upon.
2. Effective date: 31 July 2013. The notification specifies that the revised edition becomes authoritative “with effect from 31st July 2013.” Practitioners should treat this as the pivot date for determining which version is legally proper for court use. If a matter is heard after that date, the revised edition should be used for the covered subsidiary legislation, even if earlier versions existed in print or loose-leaf form.
3. Relationship to publication of the revised edition (Section 17(5) context). The preamble explains that, under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, the Law Revision Commissioners caused the 2013 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation to be published in loose-leaf form. The notification then relies on section 17(8) to specify that the revised edition should be treated as the sole and only proper statute book. In practice, this means there is a two-step process: (i) publication of the revised edition, and (ii) formal designation of it as the authoritative statute book for legal purposes.
4. Formalities and making clause. The instrument records that it is “made” on 19 July 2013 by the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission. It also includes an instrument reference “[AG/RSL/1/2012]”. While these details are not usually the focus of legal argument, they confirm the formal authority and the administrative lineage of the notification.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This notification is structured in a relatively simple format typical of law revision “designation” instruments:
(a) Title and status information. It is presented as a revised edition notification, with a status indicator showing it is current as at 27 March 2026.
(b) Enacting formula and preamble. The preamble “whereas” clauses explain the legal basis under section 17(5) and section 17(8) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. This is important for understanding the purpose: the notification is not creating new substantive regulatory rules; it is designating the authoritative compilation of existing subsidiary legislation.
(c) The operative clause (in the Schedule context). The operative effect is tied to the Acts set out in the Schedule. The Schedule is therefore central to determining the scope of coverage. Even though the excerpt does not show the Schedule contents, practitioners should consult the Schedule in the official document to identify which Acts’ subsidiary legislation are covered by the “sole and only proper Statute Book” designation.
(d) Making clause. It records the date and the signatory authority.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The notification applies to courts and all persons who use the law in legal proceedings “for all purposes,” but its practical impact is felt primarily by legal practitioners, litigants, government agencies, and anyone required to cite subsidiary legislation in Singapore.
Substantively, it applies to the pieces of subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. The notification does not apply to all subsidiary legislation in Singapore—only those made under the specified Acts. Accordingly, the scope question for a practitioner is not “does this notification apply to my case generally?” but rather “is the relevant subsidiary legislation one of the instruments covered by the Acts in the Schedule?”
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the notification is short and largely declaratory, it plays a critical role in legal certainty. Singapore’s legislative landscape includes many layers of rules: Acts, subsidiary legislation, amendments, and revisions. Without a mechanism to designate an authoritative compilation, courts and practitioners might face disputes about which version of subsidiary legislation is legally proper—especially where amendments have occurred over time or where multiple publication formats exist.
This notification ensures that, for the covered Acts, the 2013 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation becomes the definitive reference. That matters because legal arguments often depend on precise wording—definitions, procedural steps, penalties, and regulatory requirements. If a party cites an outdated version, the citation may be challenged as not reflecting the “sole and only proper Statute Book” for the relevant period and instruments. The notification therefore supports procedural correctness and reduces the risk of citation errors.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the notification also helps regulators and regulated entities align their compliance documentation with the authoritative legal text. Even where substantive obligations remain unchanged, the authoritative compilation affects how compliance manuals, internal policies, and legal opinions should be drafted and updated.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular section 17(5) (publication in loose-leaf form) and section 17(8) (designation of the revised edition as the sole and only proper statute book).
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.