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Law Reform Publications

Law Reform Publications by subject

Administration of Justice|Arbitration|Civil Law|Commercial and Contract|
Criminal Law and Procedure|Data Protection|Evidence Law|Family Law|
Information and Technology Law|Legal Profession|Maritime Law

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

August 2005 – Report of the Law Reform Committee on Pre – And Post – Judgment Interest

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Law Reform Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division and Legislation Division participated in the work of the Committee and were involved in drafting the proposed draft Bill to implement the recommendations of the Committee.

Report Implemented by courts via practice direction

May 2002 - Administrative and Civil Sanctions

The Law Reform and Revision Division was tasked by the Attorney-General to study whether and in what circumstances criminal offences should be reclassified as non-criminal infringements, and to investigate the use of administrative and civil sanctions as enforcement mechanisms. Consultation was closed on 1 July 2002.More

Consultation paper (LRRD 7/2002)  

May 2001 - Need for Mediation Laws

This paper discusses whether specific legislation is needed to support mediation or conciliation proceedings.

Consultation paper (LRRD 5/2001)  
ARBITRATION
PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

September 2009 - Report of the Law Reform Committee on Powers of Attorney

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Law Reform Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law)

Officers from the Legislation and Law Reform Division participated in the work of the Committee and were involved in drafting the proposed Bill to implement the recommendations of the Committee.

Report  

November 2002 - Proposed Amendment to the International Arbitration Act on Rules of Arbitration

This report examines and proposes amendments to the International Arbitration Act 2001 (Act 37/2001) arising from the decision of the Singapore High Court in Dermajaya Properties v Premium Properties (2002) 2 SLR 164.More 
                        

Final Report (LRRD 11/2002) International Arbitration (Amendment) Act 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) came into operation on 25 October 2002

February 2002 - Review of Rules of Court relating to Arbitration

This report reviews the Rules of Court and recommends changes to the Rules consequent upon the enactment of the Arbitration Act 2001 (Act 37/2001) and the International Arbitration (Amendment) Act 2001 (Act 38/2001). The Supplementary Report incorporates changes suggested by the Working Party on the Rules of Court chaired by L. P. Thean JA (as he then was).

Rules of Court (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2002 (S 150/2002) came into operation on 15 April 2002

March 2001 - Review of Arbitration Laws

This report reviews the domestic regime for arbitrations and recommends a new domestic Arbitration Act 2001 (Act 37/2001). It also recommends changes to the International Arbitration Act (via Act 38/2001) in line with changes in the domestic Act. It contains a clause by clause commentary on the proposed Arbitration Act.

Report (LRRD 3/2001) Arbitration Act 2001 (Act 37 of 2001) came into operation on 1 March 2002

CIVIL LAW

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

February 2007– Report of the Law Reform Committee on the Review of the Limitation Act (Cap.163)

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Law Reform Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the Committee and were involved in drafting the report and the proposed draft legislative amendments to implement the recommendations of the Committee.

Annexures  

March 2003 - Reform of the Choice of Law Rule Relating to Torts 

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Law Reform Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the Committee and were involved in drafting the proposed draft Bill to implement the recommendations of the Committee

Draft Torts (Choice of Law) Bill  

January 2001 – Proposed Instruments (Formalities) Bill

The draft Bill seeks to reform the law on the formalities relating to instruments, especially deeds. It gives effect to the UK Law Commission recommendations in its 1987 Report on “Deeds and Escrows” (Law Com No.143) and 1998 Report on “The Execution of Deeds and Documents By and On Behalf of Bodies Corporate” (Law Com No. 253).

Report (LRRD 1/2001)  

COMMERCIAL AND CONTRACT

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

September 2007– Review of Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA)

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore)

Officers of the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the CPFTA Review Task Force and were involved in drafting the proposed amendment Bill, the Regulations and the consultation documents. Consultation was closed on 26 October 2007.

MTI Consultation Paper (Sep 2007)

Draft Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Amendment) Bill

Draft Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Regulated Financial Products and Services) Regulations
Regulations
Explanatory Note

Draft Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Opt-Out Practices) Regulations
Regulations       Explanatory Note

Draft Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Motor Vehicle Dealer Deposits) Regulations
Regulations        Explanatory Note

Draft Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Cancellation of Contracts) (Amendment) Regulations
Regulations
Explanatory Note

Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Amendment) Act 2008 (Act 15 of 2008) came into operation on 15 April 2010 (except section 8(c)) and 1 April 2010 (section 8(c))

July 2003 - Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Bill

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore.)

The Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (Cap. 52A) commenced on 1 Mar 2004. Officers of the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the Fair Trading Task Force and were involved in drafting the Bill, the Regulations and the consultation documents. Consultation was closed on 31 July 2003.

Second Consultation (July 2003)

MTI Consultation Paper

Draft Bill

Draft Regulations

Explanatory Note

First Consultation (November 2002)

MTI Consultation Paper

Draft Bill

Draft Regulations

Explanatory Note

Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003 (Act 27 of 2003) came into operation on 1 March 2004

June 2007– Consultation Paper on Review of Reservation under Article 95 of United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods

This consultation paper reviews the reservation under Article 95 of the CISG. It seeks feedback on:

(a) the specific issue of whether the reservation should be withdrawn; and

(b) related issues including the legislative amendments required, the need for public education about the legal effects of withdrawing the reservation and any additional steps that may be required.More

Consultation Paper
(June 2007)

 

August 2006 – Limited Partnerships

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Finance)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the Study Team on Limited Partnerships and were involved in drafting the proposed Limited Partnerships Bill and consequential amendments to the Business Registration Act. Consultation was closed on 8 September 2006.

Draft Limited Partnerships Bill

Consequential Amendments to the Business Registration Act

Issues on the consequential amendments to the Business Registration Act

For proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act, click here and Goods and Services Tax Act, click here.

Limited Partnerships Act 2008 (Act 37 of 2008) came into operation on 4 May 2009

January 2002 - Limited Partnerships

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Finance, Singapore.)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the MOF study team and were involved in drafting the consultation paper.More

Consultation paper (LRRD 1/2002)

Consultation paper of the study team

 

October 2002 - Report of the Company Legislation and Regulatory Framework Committee ("CLRFC")

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Finance, Singapore)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division and the Legislation Division participated in the work of the Committee and were involved in drafting the legislation to implement the recommendations of the Committee.

Companies (Amendment) Act 2004 (Act 5 of 2004) came into operation on 1 April 2004 and 1 October 2004

August 2002 - Legal Protection for Financial Payment Systems

A joint consultation was made by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore. This Paper examines the legal and regulatory framework for a stable and secure payment system and recommends the necessary reform to the law in this area.

Consultation paper Payment and Settlement Systems (Finality and Netting) Act 2002 (Act 39 of 2002) came into operation on 9 December 2002

July 2002 - Relief from Unenforceability of Illegal Contracts and Trusts

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Law Reform Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law)

This report by the Law Reform Committee considers and makes recommendations to reform the law relating to relief from the unenforceability of illegal contracts and trusts. A draft bill, entitled 'Illegal Transactions (Relief) Act 2002', accompanies the report.More
         

Report

 

March 2002 - Limited Liability Partnerships 

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Finance, Singapore)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the MOF Study Team and were involved in drafting the consultation paper.More

Final Report

Summary of Issues

Consultation Paper (LRRD 3/2002)

Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005 (Act 5 of 2005)                 came into operation on 11 April 2005

February 2001 - Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill 2001

The Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act (Cap. 53B) reforms the rule of privity of contract to enable third parties to enforce contractual terms made for their benefit. The Act, modelled on the UK Act of the same name, came into operation on 1 Jan 2002.

Report (LRRD 2/2001) Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act came into operation on 1 January 2002

1997 - Economic and Monetary Union - Continuity of Contracts outside the European Union- The Position under the Laws of Singapore 1997

This paper was prepared in 1997 at the request of the UK Financial Law Panel in response to queries on the position under the laws of Singapore of the continuity of contracts on the introduction of the Euro. This report resulted in the enactment of new section 6D of the Civil Law Act (vide Act 45/1998) which declares that the continuity of contracts will not be affected by the substitution or replacement of currencies by the Euro arising from European Economic and Monetary Union.

Consultation paper New section 6D of the Civil Law Act (vide Act 45/1998)

CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

November 2006 – Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2006 and Consultation Paper

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs)

Officers from AGC participated in the review and drafting of amendments to both sexual offences and non-sexual related offences. Public consultation was closed on 9 December 2006.
Quick Summary

Draft Penal Code (Amendment) Bill Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2007 (Act 51 of 2007)  came into operation on 1 February 2008

DATA PROTECTION

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

February 2002 - Report On A Model Data Protection Code For The Private Sector

This report was prepared by the National Internet Advisory Committee ("NIAC") Legal SubCommittee. It is reproduced with the kind permission of the NIAC.More

Report Implemented by National Trust Council - Adopted by Trust SG and Singapore Govt. in IM8B

EVIDENCE LAW

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

May 2007– Report of the Law Reform Committee on Reform of Admissibility of Hearsay Evidence in Civil Proceedings

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Law Reform Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the Committee and were involved in drafting the report and the proposed Bill to implement the recommendations of the Committee.

LRC Report
(May 2007)

 

November 2006 – Report of the Law Reform Committee on the Review of the Parol Evidence Rule

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the Law Reform Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law)

Officers from the Law Reform and Revision Division participated in the work of the Committee and were involved in drafting the report and the proposed draft Bill to implement the recommendations of the Committee.

Report  

December 2004 – Computer Output as Evidence (Final Report)

This report consolidates the findings and responses received by the Technology Law Development Group ("TLDG") for its consultation paper entitled 'Computer Output as Evidence' published in September 2003. It also includes the draft Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2005 which gives effect to the recommendations made by the TLDG in its consultation paper.

Final Report  

September 2003 - Computer Output as Evidence 

This paper analyses and assesses the relevance and adequacy of Singapore's laws on computer output evidence, in particular sections 35 and 36 of the Evidence Act, and outlines several options for possible law reform. The paper was produced by the Technology Law Development Group of the Singapore Academy of Law at the request of the Law Reform and Revision Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Consultation Paper  

FAMILY LAW

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

October 2005 – Review of Child Custody Law

In 2005, the Law Reform and Revision Division of the Attorney-General’s Chambers conducted a review of child custody law in Singapore

Discussion Paper  

Annexures A to E
 

INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY LAW

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

June 2009– Review of Electronic Transactions Act (ETA)

This report consolidates the recommendations arising from the joint public consultation on the Review of the Electronic Transactions Act conducted in 3 stages during 2004 and 2005 by the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. The proposed Bill seeks to align the law on electronic transactions with the UNCITRAL Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts. The proposed Bill and Regulations also make changes to facilitate e-Government and to adopt a new accreditation framework for the regulation of certification authorities.

Consultation closes on 17 August 2009.

 

September 2005 – Joint IDA-AGC Consultation Paper on Proposed Spam Control Bill

This consultation exercise seeks views on the draft Spam Control Bill for Singapore, which includes mobile spam and proposes that civil rights and remedies be granted to any person who suffers loss or damage from non-compliant spam. Consultation was closed on 12 October 2005.More

Consultation Paper Spam Control Act 2007 (Act 21 of 2007) came into operation on 15 June 2007

May 2004 - Joint IDA-AGC Consultation Paper on Proposed Legislative Framework for the Control of E-mail Spam

This joint IDA-AGC study is to review Singapore’s legislative options against spam as part of the multi-pronged approach. This Consultation Paper seeks guidance and feedback on the proposed legislative framework for the control of spam. Consultation was closed on 26 July 2004.

Consultation Paper  

2004, 2005 - Review of Electronic Transactions Act (ETA)

A public consultation was carried out jointly by the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore in 3 stages during 2004 and 2005 on electronic contracting issues, exclusions under section 4 of the ETA, e-Government, liability of network service providers, secure electronic signatures and certification authorities to garner feedback on the UNCITRAL Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts and the review of the ETA.

Overview

Consultation paper (LRRD 1/2004): Stage I: Electronic Contracting Issues

Consultation paper (LRRD 2/2004): Stage II: Exclusions under Section 4 of the ETA

Consultation paper (LRRD 1/2005): Stage III: Remaining Issues

 

LEGAL PROFESSION

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

May 2002 – Economic Review Sub-Committee on Service Industries – Report of the Working Group (Legal Services)

The Working Group (Legal Services) considers ways in which the legal profession can help Singapore become a services hub for the region. It discusses, among other things, the development of cost-cutting practices, fiscal and other incentives to make Singapore an attractive place for foreign lawyers and in-house counsel to re-locate to Singapore, and the promotion of Singapore as a regional ADR (alternative dispute resolution) service centre.More

Report  

MARITIME LAW

PROJECT TITLE PUBLICATION IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

December 2004 - Proposed Revised Edition of Maritime Conventions Act 1911 (Final Report)

This report by the Law Reform and Revision Division explains the issues dealt with in seeking to bring the 1911 Act into conformity with the local Acts. The report contains a draft 2004 Revised Edition of the 1911 Act.More

Final Report (LRRD 4/2004) Maritime Conventions Act 1911 was revised in 2004 and came into operation on         31 Dec 2004

August 2003 – Proposed Revised Edition of Maritime Conventions Act

The Law Revision Commissioners in this consultation paper sought the views of the shipping community and admiralty law practitioners in relation to the cross-references to imperial legislation in the proposed Revised Edition of the Maritime Conventions Act 1911.

Consultation paper (LRRD 2/2003)  

April 2003 - Admiralty Jurisdiction of the High Court: Arrest of Ships on Demise Charter to Secure the Obligations of the Demise Charterer

The Law Reform and Revision Division sought views from the public on a proposed amendment to the High Court (Admiralty Jurisdiction) Act. The proposed reform will allow the arrest of ships on demise charter to secure the obligations of the demise charterer.

Consultation paper (LRRD 1/2003) High Court (Admiralty Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Act 2004 (Act 2 of 2004) came into operation on 1 April 2004

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© 2005 Government of Singapore
27 May, 2010