Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 7) Order 2021
- Act Code: RELA1983-S977-2021
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), section 7(2)
- Order Number / Citation: No. S 977
- Enacting Formula: President makes the Order in exercise of powers under section 7(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Date Made: 22 December 2021
- Commencement / Coming into force: 31 December 2021 (for the 2020 Revised Edition of Acts)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Provisions (from extract): Sections 1–2 and the Schedule (Acts set out in the Schedule)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 7) Order 2021 is a procedural legislative instrument that brings into effect a “revised edition” of Singapore’s Acts. In plain language, it is part of the legal machinery used to update and consolidate the text of statutes so that practitioners and the public can rely on a current, authoritative version of the law.
Singapore’s legal system periodically produces revised editions of Acts. These revised editions are not merely reprints; they are structured to reflect the law as amended up to a particular point in time, and they are intended to be the definitive reference for the content of the Acts included in the revision. This Order is the formal step that triggers the coming into force of the 2020 Revised Edition of Acts.
Although the extract provided is short, the Order’s function is clear: it identifies the Order, and it specifies the date on which the 2020 Revised Edition of Acts (listed in the Schedule) becomes effective. The Schedule is therefore central to understanding which Acts are covered, even if the extract does not reproduce the list.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation). Section 1 provides the formal citation of the instrument: it is the “Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 7) Order 2021.” For lawyers, this matters because it anchors the instrument in legal referencing practice. When citing the authority for the coming into force of a revised edition, practitioners can point to the correct Order and its number (No. S 977).
Section 2 (Date of coming into force of the 2020 Revised Edition). Section 2 is the operative provision in the extract. It states that the “2020 Revised Edition of Acts, containing the Acts set out in the Schedule, comes into force on 31 December 2021.” This means that, from that date, the revised texts included in the 2020 Revised Edition become the legally effective versions for the Acts listed in the Schedule.
From a practical standpoint, this provision affects how lawyers should consult and cite statutory text. If an Act is included in the revised edition, the revised edition becomes the authoritative version for legal interpretation, drafting, litigation, and compliance. In many legal workflows—especially those involving statutory interpretation, contract drafting, regulatory submissions, and court filings—ensuring that the correct version of the statute is used is essential. The Order is therefore a key reference point for version control.
The Schedule (Acts set out in the Schedule). While the extract does not list the Acts, the Schedule is described as containing the Acts that are included in the 2020 Revised Edition. The Schedule effectively defines the scope of what is being brought into force. For practitioners, the Schedule is where the legal impact is located: it tells you which Acts’ revised texts are now effective as of 31 December 2021. When advising clients, conducting legal research, or preparing pleadings, lawyers should confirm whether the relevant Act is included in the Schedule and then use the revised edition text accordingly.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a conventional format for Singapore subsidiary legislation Orders made under a parent Act. Based on the extract, it contains:
(1) Enacting formula. The enacting formula records that the President makes the Order under the powers conferred by section 7(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275). This establishes the legal basis for the Order.
(2) Citation provision. Section 1 identifies the Order.
(3) Commencement/coming into force provision. Section 2 specifies the date on which the 2020 Revised Edition of Acts comes into force.
(4) Schedule. The Schedule lists the Acts included in the 2020 Revised Edition. This is the scope-defining component.
Notably, the extract does not show multiple parts or complex substantive rules. The Order is best understood as a “version activation” instrument rather than a policy-making statute. Its legal significance lies in the effective date and the set of Acts covered.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself does not impose obligations on individuals or organisations. Instead, it applies indirectly to everyone who relies on Singapore’s statutory law—courts, regulators, businesses, legal practitioners, and members of the public—by determining when the revised statutory texts become legally effective.
In terms of practical applicability, the Order affects any matter in which the interpretation or application of an Act included in the 2020 Revised Edition is required after 31 December 2021. For example, if a dispute concerns an Act that appears in the Schedule, lawyers must ensure they are using the revised edition text that came into force on that date. For compliance and advisory work, the revised edition may also influence how internal policies, regulatory checklists, and contractual clauses are drafted and updated.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is brief, it plays an important role in maintaining the integrity and usability of Singapore’s legal corpus. Revised editions are designed to provide a consolidated and authoritative text of Acts. By specifying the coming into force date, the Order ensures that the revised edition is not merely published but becomes the operative legal reference.
For practitioners, the key importance is version control. Legal research platforms and practitioners often need to reconcile amendments, consolidation changes, and the effective dates of revisions. The Order provides a clear anchor: the 2020 Revised Edition of Acts comes into force on 31 December 2021. This helps lawyers confirm that the statutory text they rely on is the correct one for the relevant time period and for current legal practice.
In litigation and dispute resolution, the correct statutory text can affect outcomes. Even where substantive law has not changed, the revised edition may reflect updated drafting conventions, corrected references, or consolidation of amendments. Lawyers therefore need to ensure that submissions cite the correct version. In regulatory and transactional contexts, using the revised edition supports accurate compliance and reduces the risk of relying on outdated or superseded text.
Finally, the Order demonstrates the governance process for legal consolidation in Singapore. It is made under the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, showing that revised editions are not ad hoc publications but are brought into force through formal legal authority. This contributes to legal certainty and the reliability of the statutory record.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275) — in particular, section 7(2) (authorising the President to make the Order bringing the revised edition into force)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Section 7) Order 2021 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.