# legal_provisions

document_id: rbda-2021
provision_ref: s65
chapter: PART 10 - CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS
section: 65
title: Amendment of Infectious Diseases Act 1976
content:
65. Section 46(2) of the Infectious Diseases Act 1976 is amended by deleting the words “Registrar of Births and Deaths” and substituting the words “Registrar‑General of Births and Deaths”.


document_id: rbda-2021
provision_ref: s66
chapter: PART 10 - CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS
section: 66
title: Amendment of Legitimacy Act 1934
content:
66. The Legitimacy Act 1934 is amended — ( a ) by deleting subsection (4) of section 3; and ( b ) by repealing the Schedule.


document_id: rbda-2021
provision_ref: s67
chapter: PART 10 - CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS
section: 67
title: Amendment of Merchant Shipping Act 1995
content:
67. Section 91 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 is amended — ( a ) by deleting the words “Registrar of Births and Deaths” in subsection (2) and substituting the words “Registrar‑General of Births and Deaths”; and ( b ) by deleting subsections (3) and (4).


document_id: rbda-2021
provision_ref: s68
chapter: PART 10 - CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS
section: 68
title: Amendment of National Registration Act 1965
content:
68. The National Registration Act 1965 is amended — ( a ) by deleting the word “gender” in sections 4(2)( a ) and 6A(2)( b ) and substituting in each case the word “sex”; and ( b ) by deleting subsection (3) of section 6A and substituting the following subsection: “ (3) In subsection (1)( b ), “permitted character” has the meaning given by section 19(3) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act 2021. ”.


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s2
chapter: PART 1 - PRELIMINARY
section: 2
title: Interpretation
content:
2. —(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “authorised officer” means — ( a ) a police officer; ( b ) an officer of customs of the Singapore Customs in any case concerning an offence or alleged offence against any law or provision of law which is the function of the Singapore Customs to enforce; ( c ) an immigration officer; ( ca ) a forensic specialist acting in accordance with an authorisation under section 65B(1) of the Police Force Act 2004 to exercise a power under this Act; ( d ) an officer of any law enforcement agency in any case concerning an offence or alleged offence against any law or provision of law which it is the function of that agency to enforce; and ( e ) any other person who is duly appointed in writing by the Commissioner of Police as an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act or any provision of this Act; “body sample” means — ( a ) a sample of blood; ( b ) a sample of head hair, including the roots of the head hair; ( c ) a swab taken from an individual’s mouth; or ( d ) any other sample that is prescribed under subsection (2); [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] [ Deleted by Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023 ] “DNA” means deoxyribonucleic acid; “DNA database” means the database maintained under section 31; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “DNA information” means genetic information derived from the forensic DNA analysis of a body sample; “DNA officer” means an individual who is qualified and authorised under section 18(1) to take body samples; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “eligible crime” means any offence that is, at the time of the commission of the offence — ( a ) punishable by imprisonment; ( b ) not a registrable crime; and ( c ) not compoundable under any written law (unless the offence is specified in the third column of the Fourth Schedule to the Criminal Procedure Code 2010); [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “finger impression” includes palmar impressions, hand prints, finger prints, foot prints or toe prints; “forensic procedure”, in relation to an individual, includes doing one or all of the following in relation to the individual: ( a ) taking an impression or cast of a wound from the external parts of the individual’s body other than the parts referred to in subsection (3); [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( b ) the taking of physical measurements (whether or not involving marking) for biomechanical analysis of an external part of the body other than the parts referred to in subsection (3); [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( c ) removing any article that the individual is wearing, and searching any article so removed; ( d ) removing a relevant thing attached physically to those external parts of the individual’s body or taking a sample of that relevant thing; ( e ) photographing any relevant thing in the position it is found on the external parts of the individual’s body, or in the individual’s mouth; “forensic specialist” means an individual who is appointed under section 65A of the Police Force Act 2004 as a forensic specialist; “identification database” means the database maintained under section 29; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “identifying information”, in relation to an individual, means all of the following information: ( a ) any description of the individual, including — (i) the individual’s sex; (ii) the individual’s age or apparent age; (iii) the individual’s bodily appearance; and (iv) the individual’s height; ( b ) any document that contains information that identifies the individual; ( c ) any finger impression of the individual; ( d ) any name of the individual or any name by which the individual is or is believed to have been known; ( e ) any photograph of the individual; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “law enforcement agency” means any body or organisation which is prescribed by the Minister to be a law enforcement agency for the purposes of this Act; “other particulars”, in relation to an individual, means any particulars, information or description of that individual, other than his or her identifying information, that may be relevant or useful in the identification of that individual; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “photograph”, in relation to an individual, includes the photograph of any distinguishing feature or mark on the body of that individual; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “principal registration area” means Singapore and Malaysia; “register” means the register of criminals maintained in accordance with section 4; [ Deleted by Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023 ] “registrable crime” means any offence included for the time being in the First Schedule; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “registrable particulars”, in relation to an individual, means — ( a ) the individual’s identifying information; ( b ) any record of any other particulars about the individual that has been made under section 9(2)( b )(iii), 10(2)( a )(ii)(C) or 11(4)( a )(ii)(C) or (6)( b )(iii); ( c ) the particulars of — (i) any conviction for a registrable crime; (ii) any sentence or order for that conviction; or (iii) any order of banishment, deportation, expulsion or removal, in respect of the individual; and ( d ) any particulars of any charge for an offence (whether or not a registrable crime) that was taken into consideration in determining and passing sentence on the conviction for the registrable crime; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “Registrar” means the Registrar of Criminals appointed under section 3, and includes an Assistant Registrar of Criminals; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “Reviewing Tribunal” means a Reviewing Tribunal established by section 41; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “volunteer” means an individual who voluntarily gives his or her consent under section 14 or 23 for the taking of any identifying information or body sample (as the case may be) from him or her. [45/2002; 4/2003; 10/2015] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister may prescribe any additional type of sample of or from an individual’s body that may be taken under this Act. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (3) The additional type of sample that may be prescribed under subsection (2) must not include body samples to be obtained from — ( a ) an individual’s genital or anal region; ( b ) an individual’s body orifice other than the mouth; or ( c ) the breasts of a woman. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s3
chapter: PART 1 - PRELIMINARY
section: 3
title: Appointment of Registrar of Criminals and Assistant Registrars
content:
3. —(1) The President may appoint a Registrar of Criminals and such Assistant Registrars as he or she may consider necessary for the purposes of this Act. (2) The President may, with the concurrence of the government of Malaysia, appoint an officer in the service of that government to be a Registrar of Criminals or an Assistant Registrar for the purposes of this Act.


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s4
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF CRIMINALS
section: 4
title: Register of criminals
content:
4. —(1) The Registrar must maintain a register of criminals in which must be recorded the following information and records: ( a ) the registrable particulars of an individual convicted of a registrable crime that are — (i) sent to the Registrar under section 10(3) or 11(7); or (ii) recorded in the register under section 30(2)( b ); ( b ) the registrable particulars — (i) of an individual ordered to be banished, deported or expelled and under detention in any prison or reformative training centre, that are sent to the Registrar under section 11(7) or 12; or (ii) of an individual ordered to be removed from Singapore under the Immigration Act 1959 and under detention in any immigration depot, police station, prison or other place appointed by the Controller of Immigration mentioned in section 34(4) of that Act, that are sent to the Registrar under section 11(8); ( c ) the registrable particulars of an individual — (i) convicted of any offence committed within, and registrable under the law of, Malaysia; or (ii) ordered to be banished, deported or expelled from Malaysia, sent to the Registrar by any officer of Malaysia who is authorised by the law of that territory to send the registrable particulars for registration; ( d ) the registrable particulars of an individual — (i) convicted of any offence in, or banished, deported or expelled from, any place outside the principal registration area; and (ii) whose registration is approved under section 5, sent to the Registrar by the officer in charge of any criminal records, register of criminals or prison in the place outside the principal registration area. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) The register must be kept at the place or places within or without Singapore and in the manner that the Minister may direct.


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s5
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF CRIMINALS
section: 5
title: Registration of persons convicted in or banished from places outside principal registration area
content:
5. —(1) The Minister may approve the registration under this Act of any individual convicted of any offence in, or banished, deported or expelled from, any place outside the principal registration area in respect of whom any registrable particulars are furnished to the Registrar by the officer in charge of any criminal records, register of criminals or prison in that place. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) Any approval given under this section may be either general, in respect of any place or of any class of case, or special in respect of a particular case. (3) Every general approval given under this section must be signified by notification in the Gazette . 6. [ Repealed by Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023 ] 7. [ Repealed by Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023 ]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s7A
chapter: PART 2A - SPENT CRIMINAL RECORDS
section: 7A
title: Interpretation and application of this Part
content:
7A. —(1) In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires — “criminal record”, in relation to an individual, means the record which is kept in the register before, on or after 17 October 2005 of his or her conviction for — ( a ) any registrable crime within Singapore; or [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( b ) any offence outside Singapore registrable under this Act, and the registrable particulars related thereto; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “term of imprisonment” does not include a term of imprisonment imposed by a court in default of payment of a fine or penalty. [20/2005] (2) For the purposes of this Part, an individual who is subject to a home detention order under section 52 of the Prisons Act 1933 is deemed to be in legal custody. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (3) This Part binds the Government. [20/2005]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s7B
chapter: PART 2A - SPENT CRIMINAL RECORDS
section: 7B
title: Criminal record of Singapore registrable crime may become spent
content:
7B. —(1) Subject to section 7C, all records in the register of any individual convicted within Singapore of any registrable crime shall be capable of becoming spent in accordance with this Part, whether the conviction is before, on or after 17 October 2005. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) The record in the register of an individual’s conviction within Singapore for a registrable crime becomes spent on the expiration of the crime‑free period applicable to the individual, unless he or she is disqualified under section 7C. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (3) A record of an individual’s conviction that is spent in accordance with this section is not revived by the subsequent conviction of the individual for any offence after the crime‑free period. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (4) In this section — “crime-free period” means a period of not less than 5 consecutive years starting from the relevant date applicable to an individual, during which the individual — ( a ) has not been convicted of a registrable crime; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( b ) has not been unlawfully at large in relation to any registrable crime; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( c ) has not been detained or subject to police supervision under section 30(1) of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act 1955; and ( d ) has not been subject to a supervision order or admitted to an approved institution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 or admitted to an approved centre under the Intoxicating Substances Act 1987; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “relevant date”, in relation to an individual, means — ( a ) where the sentence of the individual does not include a term of imprisonment and is no longer subject to appeal, the date on which the sentence was passed; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( b ) where the sentence of the individual includes a term of imprisonment and is no longer subject to appeal, the date of his or her release from legal custody; or [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( c ) where a sentence of imprisonment has been wholly remitted or commuted to or substituted with a sentence other than a term of imprisonment, the date of that remission, commutation or substituted sentence, as the case may be. [20/2005; 12/2018] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s7C
chapter: PART 2A - SPENT CRIMINAL RECORDS
section: 7C
title: Individual disqualified from having criminal record become spent
content:
7C. An individual is disqualified from having the record in the register of his or her conviction becoming spent under section 7B if — ( a ) that conviction was for any offence specified in the Third Schedule; ( b ) the sentence imposed on him or her for that conviction included — (i) a term of imprisonment exceeding 3 months; or (ii) a fine exceeding $2,000; ( c ) that conviction was for a registrable crime committed within 5 years after he or she had been released from — (i) an approved institution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973; or (ii) an approved centre under the Intoxicating Substances Act 1987; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( d ) he or she has been detained or subject to police supervision under section 30(1) of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act 1955 at any time before that conviction; ( e ) for the time being, he or she has a warrant of arrest for any offence issued against him or her which remains unexecuted; ( f ) he or she has records in the register of more than one conviction, whether or not those convictions arise from the same particular occasion; or ( g ) he or she has had any previous record in the register of any of his or her convictions become spent under section 7B or treated as spent under section 7D. [20/2005; 12/2018] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s7D
chapter: PART 2A - SPENT CRIMINAL RECORDS
section: 7D
title: Application by disqualified individual to have criminal record treated as spent
content:
7D. —(1) An individual who is disqualified under section 7C from having the record in the register of his or her conviction within Singapore for any registrable crime becoming spent may, at any time, apply to the Commissioner of Police to have the record treated as spent. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) An application by any individual under subsection (1) must be in such form and be accompanied by such documents, particulars and information as the Commissioner of Police may require. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (3) Upon receiving an application under subsection (1), the Commissioner of Police may — ( a ) refuse to grant the application; or ( b ) grant the application. [20/2005] (4) In determining whether to grant an application to treat the record in the register of the applicant’s conviction as spent, the Commissioner of Police must have regard to the circumstances of the case, including the following factors: ( a ) the severity of the conviction for which the record is to be spent; ( b ) the severity of the sentence imposed for that conviction; ( c ) the applicant’s conduct subsequent to the conviction. [20/2005] (5) Where any document, particular or information given under subsection (2) is false in a material particular, the Commissioner of Police may, after giving the individual concerned a reasonable opportunity to be heard (orally or in writing), revoke his or her grant of the application to treat the record in the register of the individual’s conviction as spent, and the Registrar must, without delay, expunge any entry made under section 7E(1)( b ) in respect of that record. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (6) Nothing in this section is to be construed to prevent the prosecution, conviction and punishment of any individual according to the provisions of any other written law for the time being in force. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s7DA
chapter: PART 2A - SPENT CRIMINAL RECORDS
section: 7DA
title: Criminal record rendered spent when community sentence completed
content:
7DA. —(1) Despite any provision in this Part, the record in the register of an individual’s conviction within Singapore for a registrable crime for which a community sentence (as defined in section 336 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010) is passed by a court becomes spent on the date on which the community sentence is completed. [15/2010; 30/2019] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) In addition, where a child or young person (as defined by section 2(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993) is the subject of an order of a Youth Court mentioned in section 49(1)( e ), ( f ), ( g ), ( h ), ( i ) or ( j ) of that Act because of a registrable crime, then despite any provision in this Part, the criminal record in the register relating to that registrable crime becomes spent — ( a ) at the end of any period of supervision or detention specified in the order; ( b ) on the day after the community sentence specified in the order is completed; or ( c ) on the day after the fine, damages or costs ordered to be paid are paid. [30/2019] [S 23/2025] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s7E
chapter: PART 2A - SPENT CRIMINAL RECORDS
section: 7E
title: Consequences of criminal record becoming or treated as spent
content:
7E. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), if the record of an individual’s conviction in the register is spent or is treated as spent under this Part — ( a ) the individual is deemed to have no record of that conviction, and it is lawful for him or her to answer a question asked of him or her on or after 17 October 2005 about his or her criminal record or to disclose information about his or her criminal record in the manner as if he or she had no record of that conviction; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( b ) the Registrar must, without delay, make an entry in the register to show that the record of that conviction is spent; and ( c ) any reference in any agreement or other document made on or after 17 October 2005 to the individual’s criminal record is taken not to refer to the conviction the record of which is so spent, but to refer only to any of the individual’s convictions the records of which are not so spent. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) Subsection (1)( a ) and ( c ) does not apply in relation to — ( a ) any investigation into an offence by a person authorised under any written law to carry out such investigation; ( b ) any prosecution against the individual for any offence; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( c ) any proceedings before a court, including the giving of evidence, or any decision by a court, including any decision as to sentence; and ( d ) any application by an individual for an appointment to or employment in any office, or for admission to any profession or vocation, from which the individual may be disqualified under any written law by reason of his or her conviction. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (3) Despite subsection (2), subsection (1)( a ) and ( c ) applies in respect of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)( a ), ( b ), ( c ) and ( d ) where the individual in question is a child or young person as defined in section 2(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993. [30/2019] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s7F
chapter: PART 2A - SPENT CRIMINAL RECORDS
section: 7F
title: Reference to criminal record not to include record of offence not kept in register
content:
7F. —(1) Where an individual has been convicted of any offence the record of which is not kept in the register, it is lawful for the individual — ( a ) to answer any question asked of him or her on or after 17 October 2005 about his or her criminal record of any conviction (whether or not kept in the register) in the manner as if the question relates only to his or her criminal record defined under section 7A(1); and ( b ) not to disclose any information about any record of a conviction which is not kept in the register. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) Any reference in any agreement or other document made on or after 17 October 2005 to the criminal record of any conviction (whether or not kept in the register) of an individual to which this section applies, is taken to refer only to his or her criminal record defined under section 7A(1), and not to any record of a conviction which is not kept in the register. [20/2005] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s8
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 8
title: Interpretation of this Part
content:
8. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires — “appropriate consent” means — ( a ) in relation to an individual who has attained 16 years of age — the written consent of the individual; ( b ) in relation to an individual who has not attained 16 years of age but has attained 14 years of age — the written consent of both the individual and the individual’s parent or guardian; and ( c ) in relation to an individual who has not attained 14 years of age — the written consent of the individual’s parent or guardian, given to an authorised officer after the individual concerned or the individual’s parent or guardian (as the case may be) has been informed by the authorised officer of the purpose for which and the manner by which any identifying information or a body sample is to be taken from the individual; “authorised analyst” means — ( a ) a forensic specialist; or ( b ) a person appointed by the Commissioner of Police to be an analyst for the purposes of this Part; “invasive sample” means any body sample that is obtained by means of any invasive procedure and includes a sample of blood; “registered medical practitioner” means a medical practitioner registered under the Medical Registration Act 1997 and includes a dentist registered under the Dental Registration Act 1999 or any corresponding previous written law. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] Division 2 &#x2014; Taking of identifying information


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s9
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 9
title: Taking identifying information from accused individuals
content:
9. —(1) This section applies to or in relation to an individual who — ( a ) is accused of an eligible crime or a registrable crime; and ( b ) is either — (i) under arrest or in lawful custody; or (ii) released on bail or personal bond, whether or not by a court. (2) An authorised officer may do any one or more of the following: ( a ) take or cause to be taken the finger impressions and photographs of the individual; ( b ) make or cause to be made a record of — (i) any other identifying information of the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; (ii) the particulars of the eligible crime or registrable crime that the individual is accused of; or (iii) any other particulars about the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; ( c ) subject to section 15, carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ) or ( b ). (3) The authorised officer must send a copy of all identifying information and records taken or made under subsection (2) to the Registrar for identification and report. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s10
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 10
title: Taking identifying information from individuals convicted of eligible crime or registrable crime
content:
10. —(1) When an individual is convicted of an eligible crime, the authorised officer in charge of the case may do any one or more of the following: ( a ) take or cause to be taken the finger impressions and photographs of the individual; ( b ) make or cause to be made a record of — (i) any other identifying information of the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; (ii) the particulars of the conviction and the sentence or order in respect of the individual; or (iii) any other particulars about the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; ( c ) subject to section 15, carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ) or ( b ). (2) When an individual is convicted of a registrable crime, the authorised officer in charge of the case — ( a ) must do all of the following: (i) take or cause to be taken the finger impressions and photographs of the individual; (ii) make or cause to be made a record of — (A) all other identifying information of the individual; (B) the particulars of the conviction and the sentence or order in respect of the individual; and (C) any other particulars about the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; and ( b ) subject to section 15, may carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ). (3) The authorised officer in charge of a case must send a copy of all identifying information and records taken or made under subsection (1) or (2) to the Registrar for identification and report. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s11
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 11
title: Taking identifying information from prisoners, etc.
content:
11. —(1) Subsection (2) applies to or in relation to an individual who is — ( a ) convicted of an eligible crime; and ( b ) under detention in any prison or reformative training centre. (2) The Superintendent of the prison or reformative training centre may do any one or more of the following: ( a ) take or cause to be taken the finger impressions and photographs of the individual; ( b ) make or cause to be made a record of — (i) any other identifying information of the individual that the Superintendent thinks necessary; (ii) the particulars of the conviction and the sentence or order in respect of the individual; or (iii) any other particulars about the individual that the Superintendent thinks necessary; ( c ) subject to section 15, carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ) or ( b ). (3) Subsection (4) applies to or in relation to an individual who is — ( a ) convicted of a registrable crime or ordered to be banished, deported or expelled; and ( b ) under detention in any prison or reformative training centre. (4) The Superintendent of the prison or reformative training centre — ( a ) must do all of the following: (i) take or cause to be taken the finger impressions and photographs of the individual; (ii) make or cause to be made a record of — (A) all other identifying information of the individual; (B) the particulars of the conviction and the sentence or order, or the order of banishment, deportation or expulsion, in respect of the individual; and (C) any other particulars about the individual that the Superintendent thinks necessary; and ( b ) subject to section 15, may carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ). (5) Subsection (6) applies to or in relation to an individual who is — ( a ) ordered to be removed from Singapore under the Immigration Act 1959; and ( b ) under detention in any immigration depot, police station, prison or other place appointed by the Controller of Immigration mentioned in section 34(4) of the Immigration Act 1959. (6) An authorised officer may do any one or more of the following: ( a ) take or cause to be taken the finger impressions and photographs of the individual; ( b ) make or cause to be made a record of — (i) any other identifying information of the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; (ii) the particulars of the order of removal; or (iii) any other particulars about the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; ( c ) subject to section 15, carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ) or ( b ). (7) The Superintendent must send any number of copies (that the Registrar requires) of all identifying information and records taken or made under subsection (2) or (4) to the Registrar for identification and report. (8) The authorised officer must send a copy of all identifying information and records taken or made under subsection (6) to the Registrar for identification and report. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s12
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 12
title: Particulars of removal of banishee
content:
12. —(1) When an individual is removed from Singapore or from any part of Singapore in execution of an order of banishment, deportation or expulsion, the police officer responsible for the execution of the order — ( a ) must take or cause to be taken a thumb impression of the individual on — (i) the warrant of execution; or (ii) if no warrant of execution has been issued — the order of banishment, deportation or expulsion; ( b ) subject to section 15, may carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ); ( c ) must endorse the particulars of the date, place and manner of removal on — (i) the warrant of execution; or (ii) if no warrant of execution has been issued — the order of banishment, deportation or expulsion; ( d ) must authenticate the endorsement mentioned in paragraph ( c ) with the police officer’s signature; and ( e ) must return the warrant of execution or order of banishment, deportation or expulsion, that has been endorsed and authenticated according to paragraphs ( c ) and ( d ), to the Minister. (2) The Minister must cause every warrant of execution or order of banishment, deportation or expulsion that is returned to him or her under subsection (1)( e ) to be sent as soon as possible to the Registrar. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s13
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 13
title: Taking identifying information from individuals arrested, etc., under Internal Security Act 1960
content:
13. —(1) Subsection (2) applies to an individual who is — ( a ) arrested and detained pending enquiries under section 74 of the Internal Security Act 1960; ( b ) detained in a place of detention pursuant to — (i) an order made under section 8(1)( a ) of the Internal Security Act 1960; or (ii) a direction given under section 8(2) of the Internal Security Act 1960; or ( c ) served with an order made under section 8(1)( b ) of the Internal Security Act 1960. (2) An authorised officer may do any one or more of the following: ( a ) take or cause to be taken the finger impressions and photographs of the individual; ( b ) make or cause to be made a record of — (i) any other identifying information of the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; (ii) the particulars of the arrest, order or direction under the Internal Security Act 1960; or (iii) any other particulars about the individual that the authorised officer thinks necessary; ( c ) subject to section 15, carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ) or ( b ). (3) The authorised officer must send a copy of all identifying information and records taken or made under subsection (2) to the Registrar for identification and report. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s14
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 14
title: Taking identifying information from volunteers
content:
14. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), an authorised officer may do any one or more of the following: ( a ) take or cause to be taken the finger impressions and photographs of a volunteer; ( b ) make or cause to be made a record of any other identifying information of a volunteer that the authorised officer thinks necessary; ( c ) subject to section 15, carry out any forensic procedure for the purpose of paragraph ( a ) or ( b ), if the appropriate consent is given for the taking of the identifying information. (2) Despite subsection (1), an authorised officer may, without the appropriate consent, do anything mentioned in subsection (1) in relation to a volunteer below 16 years of age, if — ( a ) the consent of the parent or guardian of the volunteer is refused without good cause or cannot be obtained despite all reasonable efforts; ( b ) the volunteer is still willing to give the identifying information; and ( c ) a Magistrate sanctions the taking of the identifying information. (3) The authorised officer must send a copy of all identifying information and records of the identifying information taken or made under subsection (1) or (2) to the Registrar for identification and report. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s15
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 15
title: Only forensic specialists may carry out forensic procedure to take identifying information
content:
15. An authorised officer or the Superintendent of a prison or reformative training centre must not carry out a forensic procedure to do anything mentioned in section 9(2), 10(1) or (2), 11(2), (4) or (6), 12(1)( a ), 13(2) or 14(1) or (2) unless the authorised officer or Superintendent is a forensic specialist. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s16
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 16
title: Offence for refusal to submit to taking identifying information, etc.
content:
16. —(1) This section applies to an individual mentioned in section 9(1), 10(1) or (2), 11(1), (3) or (5), 12(1) or 13(1). (2) An individual mentioned in subsection (1) commits an offence if the individual, without reasonable excuse — ( a ) refuses to submit to — (i) the taking of his or her finger impressions or photographs; or (ii) any forensic procedure carried out, for the purposes of obtaining the individual’s identifying information, by an authorised officer or the Superintendent of a prison or reformative training centre, who is a forensic specialist; ( b ) refuses to provide any of the individual’s identifying information or other particulars when lawfully required to do so by an authorised officer or the Superintendent of a prison or reformative training centre, as the case may be; or ( c ) otherwise hinders or obstructs the taking of any finger impression, photograph or other identifying information from him or her. (3) An individual commits an offence under subsection (2) regardless of whether the individual’s finger impressions, photographs or other identifying information was obtained by reasonable force under section 17. (4) An individual who is guilty of an offence under subsection (2) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s17
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 17
title: Reasonable force to take finger impressions, photographs, etc.
content:
17. —(1) This section applies to an individual mentioned in section 9(1), 10(1) or (2), 11(1), (3) or (5), 12(1) or 13(1) who refuses to submit to — ( a ) the taking of his or her finger impressions or photographs; or ( b ) any forensic procedure carried out, for the purposes of obtaining the individual’s identifying information, by an authorised officer or the Superintendent of a prison or reformative training centre, who is a forensic specialist. (2) The authorised officer or Superintendent of the prison or reformative training centre (as the case may be) may, with such assistance as is required, use any force that is reasonably necessary for the purposes of taking the finger impressions or photographs of that individual or carrying out the forensic procedure, as the case may be. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] Division 3 &#x2014; Taking of DNA information


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s18
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 18
title: Who may take body samples
content:
18. —(1) For the purposes of this Division, any of the following persons (each called in this Act a DNA officer) may take a body sample for forensic DNA analysis: ( a ) a registered medical practitioner; ( b ) an authorised officer who has received training for that purpose; ( c ) a suitably qualified or trained individual who is authorised by the Commissioner of Police for the purpose. (2) Before taking any body sample, a DNA officer must satisfy himself or herself that the taking of the body sample does not endanger the individual. (3) The DNA officer who takes a body sample must record the fact that the body sample has been taken, in the form and manner required by the Commissioner of Police. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s19
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 19
title: Taking body samples from accused individuals
content:
19. —(1) Subsection (2) applies to or in relation to an individual who is — ( a ) accused of an eligible crime or a registrable crime; and ( b ) either — (i) under arrest or in lawful custody; or (ii) released on bail or personal bond, whether or not by a court. (2) Subject to section 24, a DNA officer may take a body sample from the individual mentioned in subsection (1) for forensic DNA analysis. (3) The DNA officer must send any body sample taken under subsection (2) to an authorised analyst for forensic DNA analysis. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s20
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 20
title: Taking body samples from individuals convicted of eligible crime or registrable crime
content:
20. —(1) Subject to section 24, when an individual is convicted of an eligible crime or a registrable crime, a DNA officer may take a body sample from the individual for forensic DNA analysis. (2) The DNA officer must send any body sample taken under subsection (1) to an authorised analyst for forensic DNA analysis. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s21
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 21
title: Taking body samples from prisoners, etc.
content:
21. —(1) Subsection (2) applies to or in relation to any of the following individuals: ( a ) an individual who is — (i) convicted of an eligible crime or a registrable crime, or ordered to be banished, deported or expelled; and (ii) under detention in any prison or reformative training centre; ( b ) an individual who is — (i) ordered to be removed from Singapore under the Immigration Act 1959; and (ii) under detention in an immigration depot, police station, prison or other place appointed by the Controller of Immigration mentioned in section 34(4) of the Immigration Act 1959. (2) Subject to section 24, a DNA officer may take a body sample from the individual mentioned in subsection (1) for forensic DNA analysis. (3) The DNA officer must send any body sample taken under subsection (2) to an authorised analyst for forensic DNA analysis. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s22
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 22
title: Taking body samples from individuals arrested, etc., under Internal Security Act 1960
content:
22. —(1) Subsection (2) applies to or in relation to an individual who is — ( a ) arrested and detained pending enquiries under section 74 of the Internal Security Act 1960; ( b ) detained in a place of detention pursuant to — (i) an order made under section 8(1)( a ) of the Internal Security Act 1960; or (ii) a direction given under section 8(2) of the Internal Security Act 1960; or ( c ) served with an order made under section 8(1)( b ) of the Internal Security Act 1960. (2) Subject to section 24, a DNA officer may take a body sample from the individual mentioned in subsection (1) for forensic DNA analysis. (3) The DNA officer must send any body sample taken under subsection (2) to an authorised analyst for forensic DNA analysis. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s23
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 23
title: Taking body samples from volunteers
content:
23. —(1) Subject to section 26, a DNA officer may take a body sample for forensic DNA analysis from an individual who voluntarily consents to the body sample being taken. (2) The DNA officer must send any body sample taken under subsection (1) to an authorised analyst for forensic DNA analysis. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s24
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 24
title: Appropriate consent for taking invasive samples under section 19, 20, 21 or 22
content:
24. An invasive sample must not be taken from an individual under section 19, 20, 21 or 22 unless the appropriate consent is given for the taking of the invasive sample. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s25
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 25
title: Reasonable force to take body samples other than invasive samples
content:
25. If an individual mentioned in section 19(1), 20(1), 21(1) or 22(1) — ( a ) refuses to give a body sample that is not an invasive sample; ( b ) refuses to allow a body sample that is not an invasive sample to be taken from him or her; or ( c ) otherwise hinders or obstructs the taking of a body sample that is not an invasive sample from him or her, a DNA officer may, with such assistance as is required, use such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of taking that body sample. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s26
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 26
title: Appropriate consent for taking body samples from volunteers
content:
26. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), a body sample must not be taken from a volunteer under section 23 unless the appropriate consent is given for the taking of the body sample. (2) Despite subsection (1), a DNA officer may take a body sample for forensic DNA analysis from a volunteer below 16 years of age without the appropriate consent if — ( a ) the consent of the parent or guardian of the volunteer is refused without good cause or cannot be obtained despite all reasonable efforts; ( b ) the volunteer is still willing to give the body sample; and ( c ) a Magistrate sanctions the taking of the body sample. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s27
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 27
title: Offence for refusal to give, etc., body sample
content:
27. —(1) Subsections (2), (3) and (4) apply to an individual mentioned in section 19(1), 20(1), 21(1) or 22(1). (2) Except where subsection (3) or (4) applies, an individual mentioned in subsection (1) commits an offence if the individual, without reasonable excuse — ( a ) refuses to give a body sample; ( b ) refuses to allow a body sample to be taken from him or her; or ( c ) otherwise hinders or obstructs the taking of a body sample (other than an invasive sample) from him or her. (3) In a case where an individual mentioned in subsection (1) has not attained 16 years of age but has attained 14 years of age, both the parent or guardian of the individual and the individual who, without reasonable excuse, refuse to give the appropriate consent for an invasive sample to be taken from the individual each commits an offence. (4) In a case where an individual mentioned in subsection (1) has not attained 14 years of age, the parent or guardian of the individual who, without reasonable excuse, refuses to give the appropriate consent for an invasive sample to be taken from the individual commits an offence. (5) An individual commits an offence under subsection (2) regardless of whether the individual’s body sample (that is not an invasive sample) was obtained by reasonable force under section 25. (6) An individual who is guilty of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) or a parent or guardian who is guilty of an offence under subsection (3) or (4) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s28
chapter: PART 3 - IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS
section: 28
title:
Inferences against individual mentioned in section 19 from refusal of appropriate consent for invasive samples

content:
28. —(1) Where in any criminal proceeding, it is shown that the appropriate consent required under section 24 for the taking of an invasive sample from an individual under section 19 is refused without good cause, the court may in determining — ( a ) whether to commit that individual for trial in connection with the eligible crime or registrable crime of which he or she is accused of committing; ( b ) whether there is a case to answer against the individual; or ( c ) whether the individual is guilty of the eligible crime or registrable crime with which he or she has been charged, draw any inference from the refusal that the court thinks proper. (2) The refusal of the appropriate consent may, on the basis on the inference mentioned in subsection (1), be treated as, or as capable of amounting to, corroboration of any evidence given against that individual in relation to which the refusal is material. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s29
chapter: PART 4 - IDENTIFICATION DATABASE
section: 29
title: Maintaining identification database
content:
29. The Registrar must maintain an identification database in which must be recorded the following information and records: ( a ) any identifying information or record of an individual accused of an eligible crime or a registrable crime, sent to the Registrar under section 9(3); ( b ) any identifying information or record of an individual convicted of an eligible crime sent to the Registrar under section 10(3) or 11(7); ( c ) any identifying information or record of an individual arrested or detained under the Internal Security Act 1960, sent to the Registrar under section 13(3); ( d ) any identifying information and records of the identifying information of a volunteer sent to the Registrar under section 14(3); ( e ) the information mentioned in section 34(2)( b ); ( f ) any finger impression, photograph or record taken or made under section 8 as in force immediately before the date of commencement of section 6 of the Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Act 2022. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s30
chapter: PART 4 - IDENTIFICATION DATABASE
section: 30
title: Moving of particulars to register upon conviction of registrable crime
content:
30. —(1) Where — ( a ) the identifying information or records of an individual who is accused of a registrable crime — (i) have been sent to the Registrar under section 9(3); or (ii) had been sent to the Registrar under section 8( c ) as in force immediately before the date of commencement of section 6 of the Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Act 2022; and ( b ) the individual is convicted of a registrable crime with which the individual has been charged, the authorised officer in charge of the case must, as soon as practicable, notify the Registrar of the conviction. (2) The Registrar must, on receiving the notice from the authorised officer mentioned in subsection (1) — ( a ) remove the identifying information or records of the individual from the identification database; and ( b ) record the registrable particulars of the individual in the register. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s31
chapter: PART 5 - DNA DATABASE
section: 31
title: Maintaining DNA database
content:
31. The Registrar must maintain a DNA database (whether in electronic form or otherwise) in which must be stored — ( a ) all DNA information derived from a body sample taken from an individual under Division 3 of Part 3; ( b ) all DNA information derived from a body sample taken from an individual under Part 4 as in force immediately before the date of commencement of section 6 of the Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Act 2022; and ( c ) all DNA information stored in the DNA database under section 13F as in force immediately before that date. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s32
chapter: PART 5 - DNA DATABASE
section: 32
title: Use of DNA information
content:
32. Any information stored in the DNA database may be used for any of the following purposes: ( a ) for administering the DNA database for the purposes of this Act; ( b ) for any investigation into a death conducted by a police officer, a Coroner or a forensic pathologist (including a post-mortem examination) or any inquiry into any death held by a Coroner, under the Coroners Act 2010; ( c ) for any proceedings for any offence; ( d ) for comparison with DNA information in the DNA database maintained under — (i) section 27C of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act 1955; (ii) section 26D of the Intoxicating Substances Act 1987; or (iii) section 40D of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973; ( e ) for forensic comparison with any other DNA information in the course of an investigation of an offence conducted by a police officer; ( f ) for identifying a dead individual or any part of an individual; ( g ) for identifying an individual in order to provide police assistance to the individual; ( h ) for such other purposes as may be prescribed. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s33
chapter: PART 6 - REMOVAL OF REGISTRABLE PARTICULARS,
section: 33
title: Removal of information of individual upon death or attainment of 100 years of age
content:
33. The Registrar must remove from the register, identification database and DNA database, all identifying information, records and DNA information relating to an individual — ( a ) whose death has been registered under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act 2021; or ( b ) who, the Registrar is satisfied, has attained 100 years of age. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s34
chapter: PART 6 - REMOVAL OF REGISTRABLE PARTICULARS,
section: 34
title: Acquittal of individuals of registrable crimes
content:
34. —(1) Where — ( a ) the registrable particulars of an individual who is convicted of a registrable crime have been recorded in the register in relation to that registrable crime; and ( b ) the individual is acquitted of the registrable crime or of all the registrable crimes (as the case may be) with which the individual has been charged, whether or not on appeal or review, the authorised officer in charge of the case must, as soon as practicable, notify the Registrar of the acquittal. (2) The Registrar must, on receiving the notice from the authorised officer mentioned in subsection (1) — ( a ) remove the registrable particulars of the individual from the register; and ( b ) record the following information in the identification database: (i) the identifying information and records of the individual sent to the Registrar in relation to the registrable crime; (ii) the circumstances under which the registrable particulars of the individual were removed from the register. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s35
chapter: PART 6 - REMOVAL OF REGISTRABLE PARTICULARS,
section: 35
title: Individuals not involved in commission of eligible crime or registrable crime
content:
35. —(1) This section applies to or in relation to an individual who is accused of an eligible crime or a registrable crime. (2) Where — ( a ) either or both of the following are satisfied: (i) the identifying information or records of the individual have been recorded in the identification database in relation to the eligible crime or registrable crime; (ii) the DNA information of the individual has been recorded in the DNA database in relation to the eligible crime or registrable crime; and ( b ) investigations reveal that the individual is not involved in the commission of the eligible crime or registrable crime, the authorised officer in charge of the case must, as soon as practicable, notify the Registrar of the findings of the investigations. (3) The Registrar must, on receiving the notice from the authorised officer mentioned in subsection (2) — ( a ) remove the identifying information and records of the individual (if any) from the identification database; and ( b ) remove the DNA information of the individual (if any) from the DNA database. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s36
chapter: PART 6 - REMOVAL OF REGISTRABLE PARTICULARS,
section: 36
title: Individuals not found to have acted or about to act in manner prejudicial to security of Singapore
content:
36. —(1) This section applies to or in relation to an individual who is arrested and detained pending enquiries under section 74 of the Internal Security Act 1960. (2) Where — ( a ) either or both of the following are satisfied: (i) the identifying information or records of the individual have been sent to the Registrar under section 13(3) and recorded in the identification database; (ii) any body sample has been taken from the individual under section 22(2) and the DNA information derived from the body sample has been recorded in the DNA database; and ( b ) investigations reveal that — (i) there are no grounds to justify the individual’s detention under section 8 of the Internal Security Act 1960; and (ii) the individual has not acted or was not about to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Singapore or any part of Singapore, the police officer or law enforcement officer, who is in charge of the case must, as soon as practicable, notify the Registrar of the findings of the investigations. (3) The Registrar must, on receiving the notice from the police officer or law enforcement officer mentioned in subsection (2) — ( a ) remove the identifying information and records of the individual (if any) from the identification database; and ( b ) remove the DNA information of the individual (if any) from the DNA database. (4) In this section, “law enforcement officer” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Police Force Act 2004. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s37
chapter: PART 6 - REMOVAL OF REGISTRABLE PARTICULARS,
section: 37
title: Application for removal of information from identification database or DNA database
content:
37. —(1) Subsection (2) applies where — ( a ) any identifying information has been taken from a volunteer under section 14 and recorded in the identification database; or ( b ) any body sample has been taken from a volunteer under section 23 or 26 or section 13D as in force immediately before the date of commencement of section 6 of the Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Act 2022 and the DNA information derived from the body sample has been recorded in the DNA database. (2) The volunteer may apply, in the prescribed form and manner, to the Registrar to remove the identifying information or DNA information, or both, from the identification database or DNA database, as the case may be. (3) Subsection (4) applies to or in relation to an individual who is accused or convicted of an eligible crime or a registrable crime (called in this section a specified crime) where — ( a ) either or both of the following are satisfied: (i) the identifying information or records of the individual have been recorded in the identification database in relation to the specified crime; (ii) the DNA information of the individual has been recorded in the DNA database in relation to the specified crime; and ( b ) any one of the following circumstances is met: (i) the specified crime is compounded under any written law; (ii) the individual is discharged by a court before conviction of the specified crime or of all the specified crimes (as the case may be) with which the individual has been charged (unless the discharge does not amount to an acquittal); (iii) the individual is acquitted of the specified crime or of all the specified crimes (as the case may be) with which the individual has been charged, whether or not at trial or on appeal or review. (4) The individual may apply, in the prescribed form and manner and within the prescribed time, to the Registrar to remove the individual’s identifying information or DNA information, or both, from the identification database or DNA database, as the case may be. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s38
chapter: PART 6 - REMOVAL OF REGISTRABLE PARTICULARS,
section: 38
title: Removal of identifying information or DNA information of volunteers
content:
38. Where the Registrar receives an application from a volunteer in accordance with section 37(2), the Registrar must remove the volunteer’s identifying information or DNA information, or both, from the identification database or DNA database, as the case may be. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s39
chapter: PART 6 - REMOVAL OF REGISTRABLE PARTICULARS,
section: 39
title: Removal of identifying information or DNA information of individuals other than volunteers
content:
39. —(1) Where the Registrar receives an application from an individual in accordance with section 37(4), the Registrar must remove the individual’s identifying information or DNA information, or both, from the identification database or DNA database (as the case may be) unless the Registrar determines that any one or both of the following circumstances exist: ( a ) the individual’s identifying information or DNA information is relevant to another ongoing prosecution or investigation; ( b ) it is in the interests of the security of Singapore to retain the individual’s identifying information or DNA information. (2) Where the Registrar determines in accordance with subsection (1) not to remove the individual’s identifying information or DNA information from the identification database or DNA database (as the case may be), the Registrar must notify the individual of the Registrar’s determination and that the individual’s identifying information or DNA information will not be removed from the identification database or DNA database, as the case may be. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s40
chapter: PART 7 - APPEAL AGAINST REGISTRAR’S DETERMINATION
section: 40
title: Right of appeal against Registrar’s determination
content:
40. An individual who receives a notice mentioned in section 39(2) may, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, appeal to a Reviewing Tribunal in accordance with this Part against the determination of the Registrar. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] Division 2 &#x2014; Reviewing Tribunals


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s41
chapter: PART 7 - APPEAL AGAINST REGISTRAR’S DETERMINATION
section: 41
title: Reviewing Tribunals — composition
content:
41. —(1) One or more bodies each called a Reviewing Tribunal is established by this section. (2) Every Reviewing Tribunal consists of a District Judge or Magistrate who is appointed by the President on the advice of the Cabinet subject to subsection (3). (3) An individual must not be, or be appointed as, a member of any Reviewing Tribunal if he or she is not a citizen of Singapore. (4) A member of a Reviewing Tribunal must vacate office at the end of a period of 3 years starting the day of his or her appointment, but is eligible for reappointment. (5) A member of a Reviewing Tribunal may resign his or her office by giving written notice to the President. (6) In the performance of his or her functions and duties under this Act, a member of a Reviewing Tribunal has the same protection and immunity as a District Judge or Magistrate, as the case may be. (7) The proceedings of a Reviewing Tribunal are deemed to be judicial proceedings and a member of the Reviewing Tribunal is deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Penal Code 1871. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s42
chapter: PART 7 - APPEAL AGAINST REGISTRAR’S DETERMINATION
section: 42
title: Reviewing Tribunal — remuneration and other terms
content:
42. —(1) The Minister may pay to a member of a Reviewing Tribunal out of moneys provided by Parliament such remuneration or allowances as the Minister may, with the approval of the President, fix. (2) The remuneration and other terms of service of a member of a Reviewing Tribunal must not be altered to his or her disadvantage during his or her continuance in office as such. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s43
chapter: PART 7 - APPEAL AGAINST REGISTRAR’S DETERMINATION
section: 43
title: Reviewing Tribunal — resources
content:
43. —(1) All expenses of every Reviewing Tribunal are to be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament. (2) The Minister must appoint a Secretary to the Reviewing Tribunals and any other public officers that are necessary for a Reviewing Tribunal to discharge its functions under this Act. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s44
chapter: PART 7 - APPEAL AGAINST REGISTRAR’S DETERMINATION
section: 44
title: Reviewing Tribunal — function
content:
44. —(1) It is the function and duty of every Reviewing Tribunal to consider and determine any appeal made under section 40 and served on the Secretary to the Reviewing Tribunals by an individual who receives a notice mentioned in section 39(2). (2) However, a Reviewing Tribunal must dismiss any appeal if the Registrar, when called by the Reviewing Tribunal for a defence, presents to the Reviewing Tribunal a certificate issued by the Minister certifying that — ( a ) the individual’s identifying information or DNA information in question was taken in relation to an offence under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 or the Internal Security Act 1960; and ( b ) it is in the interests of the security of Singapore to retain the individual’s identifying information or DNA information. (3) A Reviewing Tribunal may determine an appeal made to the Reviewing Tribunal by — ( a ) dismissing the appeal and confirming the decision appealed against; or ( b ) revoking the decision appealed against. (4) Every Reviewing Tribunal has to carry out its work expeditiously. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s45
chapter: PART 7 - APPEAL AGAINST REGISTRAR’S DETERMINATION
section: 45
title: Procedure before Reviewing Tribunal
content:
45. —(1) Except where a Reviewing Tribunal, having regard to all the circumstances, is satisfied that it is equitable to do so, the Reviewing Tribunal must not consider or determine any appeal against the Registrar’s determination under section 39(1), if the appeal is made more than 30 days after the date of the notice of that determination given under section 39(2). (2) A Reviewing Tribunal may at any stage in the appeal proceedings, and without calling for a defence from the Registrar whose determination is appealed against, dismiss an appeal made to or before it if the Reviewing Tribunal is satisfied that — ( a ) the appellant is not an individual entitled to appeal under section 40; ( b ) the bringing of the appeal is or the proceedings of the appeal are frivolous or vexatious; or ( c ) the appellant has, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the time delimited by any provision of the rules made under section 49 for the submission of any notice, document or other information in the appeal proceedings, or with any direction of the Reviewing Tribunal under those rules. (3) Subject to the rules made under section 49, every Reviewing Tribunal is entitled to determine its own procedure in relation to any appeal under section 40 made to or before the Reviewing Tribunal. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s46
chapter: PART 7 - APPEAL AGAINST REGISTRAR’S DETERMINATION
section: 46
title: Reviewing Tribunal’s decision final, etc.
content:
46. —(1) Every determination, order and other decision of a Reviewing Tribunal made or purportedly made under this Act is final and is not to be called in question in any court. (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), a determination, an order and other decision includes a determination, an order and other decision purportedly made, proposed to be made, or required to be made, under this Act or any rules made under section 49 if there were not an excess of jurisdiction or a failure to exercise jurisdiction, in the making of the determination, order or other decision. (3) A certificate issued by the Minister under section 44(2) is conclusive evidence of the matters stated in the certificate. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s47
chapter: PART 8 - MISCELLANEOUS
section: 47
title: Providing register information to foreign law enforcement agency
content:
47. —(1) A Singapore designated authority may, pursuant to a crime prevention exchange of information arrangement or upon receiving a request from a foreign law enforcement agency of a non‑participating foreign country, transmit register information about an individual to a foreign law enforcement agency if the Singapore designated authority is satisfied that — ( a ) the register information is requested for one or more of the following purposes only: (i) comparing information transmitted and identifying matches for the investigation of a matter relating to the foreign country of the foreign law enforcement agency, or proceedings in respect of that matter; (ii) assisting the foreign country of the foreign law enforcement agency to decide whether to make a request under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2000 or a requisition under the Extradition Act 1968; (iii) a purpose prescribed; ( b ) the foreign law enforcement agency has given an appropriate undertaking in relation to the retention, use and destruction of the register information, including the matters in subsection (2); ( c ) it is, having regard to all of the following, appropriate in all the circumstances of the case to do so: (i) the likely effect of transmission on any criminal investigation or proceedings in a Singapore court; (ii) the likely effect of transmission on the safety of the individual to whom the register information to be disclosed relates, or of any other person in Singapore; (iii) the public interest of Singapore; and ( d ) the foreign law enforcement agency is able to comply with conditions prescribed for transmission of information under this section, and any other conditions as the Singapore designated authority may impose specially in relation to the transmission. [8/2016] (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)( b ), the foreign law enforcement agency concerned must undertake — ( a ) that the register information the foreign law enforcement agency receives from a Singapore designated authority about an individual under this section — (i) will be kept and maintained using such methods and technologies as will ensure that persons not authorised to access the information cannot access the information; and (ii) will not be used for a purpose not specified in or prescribed for the purpose of subsection (1)( a ); and ( b ) that the foreign law enforcement agency will comply with the conditions referred to in subsection (1)( d ). [8/2016] (3) A Singapore designated authority may refuse to further transmit any register information about an individual to a foreign law enforcement agency if the Singapore designated authority is of the opinion that the foreign law enforcement agency has failed to comply with its undertaking given under subsection (1)( b ) and does not take steps to rectify the non‑compliance. [8/2016] (4) This section applies despite any duty of confidence, or any written law relating to confidentiality or secrecy, to the contrary. [8/2016] (5) To avoid doubt, sections 4 and 5 do not apply to any information transmitted by a foreign law enforcement agency to a Singapore designated authority. [8/2016] (6) In this section, unless the context otherwise requires — “crime prevention exchange of information arrangement” means an arrangement between a foreign country and the Government under which — ( a ) register information is to be transmitted from a Singapore designated authority to a foreign law enforcement agency in the foreign country; and ( b ) information similar to register information is to be transmitted from a foreign law enforcement agency of the foreign country to a Singapore designated authority, for the purpose of preventing and combating serious crime and identity fraud, and for the use and keeping of information transmitted under the arrangement; “foreign country” means any country, or territory, other than Singapore; “foreign law enforcement agency” — ( a ) in relation to a participating foreign country, means an official or an authority of the participating foreign country, designated by the participating foreign country to make a request to a Singapore designated authority for register information; ( b ) in relation to any other foreign country, means an official or an authority of the foreign country, exercising functions corresponding to — (i) the Singapore Police Force; (ii) the Central Narcotics Bureau; (iii) the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority; or (iv) any other similar authority prescribed, and whom the Singapore designated authority is satisfied is authorised to make a request to the Singapore designated authority for register information; “foreign offence” means any offence against the law of a foreign country which, if the conduct constituting the offence had occurred in Singapore, would amount to an offence against the law of Singapore punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding 12 months; “investigation of a matter”, in relation to a foreign country, means — ( a ) an investigation of a foreign offence; ( b ) an investigation of a missing person in that foreign country; ( c ) an investigation for the purpose of identifying a deceased person in that foreign country; or ( d ) an investigation to prevent the commission of a foreign offence; “law of a foreign country” includes a reference to the law in force in any part of that country; “participating foreign country” means — ( a ) a member country of the International Criminal Police Organisation; or ( b ) a foreign country whose government has a crime prevention exchange of information arrangement with the Government; “proceedings” means proceedings in a court of law or in which judicial power is exercised (whether of a civil or criminal nature), and includes proceedings (whether or not in a court) in which evidence may be taken on oath; [ Deleted by Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023 ] “register information” means the registrable particulars or DNA information of an individual who is convicted by a court in Singapore of a registrable crime, that is recorded in the register or DNA database, whether recorded before, on or after 1 August 2016, but excludes registrable particulars and DNA information of — ( a ) an individual who is acquitted by a court in Singapore of the registrable crime, whether or not on appeal or review; ( b ) an individual in respect of whom a direction by the Commissioner of Police is given under section 7 as in force before the date of commencement of section 5 of the Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Act 2022; or ( c ) an individual whose conviction in the register is spent or is treated as spent under Part 2A; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] “Singapore designated authority” means an individual appointed under section 3 who is specially designated by the Minister to disclose information under this section. [8/2016] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s48
chapter: PART 8 - MISCELLANEOUS
section: 48
title: Evidence
content:
48. —(1) Subject to subsection (2) — ( a ) any photograph, finger impression or registrable particulars recorded in the register; ( aa ) any identifying information or record recorded in the identification database; [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( b ) any record from the DNA database; ( c ) any certificate or report purporting to have been compiled from particulars recorded in the register, identification database or DNA database under the provisions of this Act; and [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] ( d ) any document purporting to be a report upon any matter or thing relating to finger impressions or DNA information duly submitted to the Registrar for report, is, if duly produced from proper custody and authenticated by the signature of the Registrar, admissible in evidence in any court, and is sufficient proof of the facts thereon stated or appearing unless the same is disproved. [45/2002] (2) Despite subsection (1), in any trial at which any of the matters referred to in subsection (1) is tendered in evidence, the court or the accused may require that the Registrar be called as a witness. [45/2002] (3) Where the accused requires the Registrar to be called as a witness, the accused must give notice to the Public Prosecutor not less than 3 clear days before the commencement of the trial. [45/2002] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s49
chapter: PART 8 - MISCELLANEOUS
section: 49
title: Rules
content:
49. —(1) The Minister may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act and for any matter which is required under this Act to be prescribed. [45/2002] (1A) In particular, the Minister may make rules to provide for any of the following: ( a ) the safeguards that the Registrar must implement to protect the information recorded in the register, identification database or DNA database, and any computer system used to keep and maintain the register, identification database or DNA database, against — (i) accidental or unlawful loss, modification or destruction; and (ii) unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use or modification; ( b ) the practice and procedure to be followed on, or in connection with, the hearing or consideration of any proceedings or appeal (including, where applicable, the mode and burden of proof and the admissibility of evidence) before a Reviewing Tribunal, including — (i) requiring individuals making an appeal under section 40 to take any preliminary steps, and to make any disclosures, that may be specified in the rules for the purpose of facilitating a determination whether the making of the appeal is frivolous or vexatious; (ii) enabling or requiring a Reviewing Tribunal to hear or consider any appeal without the individual who brought the appeal having been given full particulars of the grounds which are the subject of the appeal; (iii) the need to secure that matters which are the subject of appeals brought before or made to a Reviewing Tribunal are properly heard and considered; (iv) prescribing the circumstances and manner in which appeals under section 40 in relation to the same determination, or involving the same or similar issues, may be consolidated or heard together; (v) enabling or requiring a Reviewing Tribunal to take any steps in exercise of its jurisdiction in the absence of any individual (including the individual making the appeal and any legal representative of the individual); (vi) enabling or requiring a Reviewing Tribunal to give a summary of any evidence taken in its absence to the individual who made the appeal under section 40; (vii) securing that the information is not disclosed to an extent, or in a manner, that is contrary to Singapore’s national security, the prevention or detection of serious crime, the economic wellbeing of Singapore or the continued discharge of the functions of any of the intelligence services of Singapore; and (viii) providing for the manner in which the interests of an individual who has made an appeal under section 40 are to be represented, such as for the appointment in accordance with the rules, by such person as may be determined in accordance with the rules, of a person to represent those interests; ( c ) such saving, transitional and other consequential, incidental and supplemental provisions as are necessary or expedient for rules made under this section. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023] (2) All rules made under this Act must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette . [45/2002] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s50
chapter: PART 8 - MISCELLANEOUS
section: 50
title: Power to vary Schedules
content:
50. The Minister may by order delete any provision from, or add to or vary the provisions of, the Schedules. [7/97] [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rca-1949
provision_ref: s51
chapter: PART 8 - MISCELLANEOUS
section: 51
title: Saving
content:
51. The Registrar has the custody of all records of criminals and particulars which would be registrable particulars under this Act held immediately before 29 June 1949 by any Registrar of Criminals in Singapore, and the records and particulars whether taken, received or registered in accordance with any written law for the time being in force or not, are deemed to have been duly taken or received and, when registered, are, for all purposes of this Act, deemed to be comprised in and form part of the register maintained under this Act. [Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]


document_id: rcaa-1975
provision_ref: s2
section: 2
title: The Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy of Singapore to be a body corporate
content:
2. —(1) The Right Reverend Michael Olcomendy, the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore and his successors in office shall be a body corporate (referred to in this Act as the Corporation) which shall for the purposes of this Act have the name of “The Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore” and by that name have perpetual succession and shall have a corporate seal, and be capable of acquiring, holding and disposing of movable and immovable property, of suing and being sued and of performing all such acts and things as bodies corporate may lawfully perform. (2) The seal, which may consist of a rubber stamp, may from time to time be broken, changed, altered and made anew as to the Corporation seems fit. (3) “Successors in office” shall be deemed to include either an Administrator Apostolic or a Vicar Capitular administering the affairs of the Archdiocese of Singapore in Singapore from the time when the office of the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore becomes vacant by the resignation or death of the holder for the time being or vacant for any other reason until the formal assumption of office by his successor. (4) There shall not be concurrent holders of any 2 of the offices of Archbishop, Administrator Apostolic or Vicar Capitular and any power of attorney given by any one of them shall cease to be valid when the donor of the power of attorney ceases to administer the affairs of the diocese.


document_id: rcaa-1975
provision_ref: s3
section: 3
title: Vesting of property in the Archbishop of Singapore
content:
3. All movable and immovable properties of every description situate in Singapore which immediately before 12 December 1975 were vested in the Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Malacca (referred to in this Act as the former Corporation) whether with or without the name of the ecclesiastic for the time being holding office, and whether with or without the addition of the words “resident in the Straits Settlements”, is hereby vested in the Corporation for the respective estates and interests for which the same is held.


document_id: rcaa-1975
provision_ref: s4
section: 4
title: Use of corporate name
content:
4. —(1) All deeds, documents and other instruments requiring the seal of the Corporation shall be sealed with the seal of the Corporation in the presence of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore for the time being or when the Archbishopric is vacant in the presence of the Administrator Apostolic or of the Vicar Capitular of the Archdiocese of Singapore, as the case may be, or the attorney of any one of them duly authorised by a power of attorney deposited pursuant to section 48 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1886, and shall also be signed by the Archbishop for the time being or by the Administrator Apostolic or Vicar Capitular, as the case may be, or the attorney of any one of them so authorised. (2) Such signing shall be sufficient evidence that the seal was duly and properly affixed and that the seal is the lawful seal of the Corporation.


document_id: rcaa-1975
provision_ref: s5
section: 5
title: Notification of appointment of Archbishop
content:
5. A notification in the Gazette of the appointment of any person to exercise the office of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore or of the Administrator Apostolic or of the Vicar Capitular of the Archdiocese of Singapore, as the case may be, shall be conclusive evidence that such person was duly authorised to exercise that office in Singapore.


document_id: rcaa-1975
provision_ref: s6
section: 6
title: Saving of other rights
content:
6. Nothing in this Act shall affect the rights of the President or of any body politic or corporate or of any other person except such as are mentioned in this Act and those claiming by, from or under them.


document_id: rcaa-1975
provision_ref: s7
section: 7
title: Saving provision
content:
7. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), every agreement, whether in writing or not, to which the former Corporation was a party immediately before 12 December 1975, and whether or not of such nature that the rights and liabilities thereunder could be assigned, shall have effect as from that date as if — ( a ) the Corporation had been a party to such an agreement; and ( b ) for any reference (however worded and whether express or implied) to the former Corporation there were substituted in respect of anything to be done on or after that date a reference to the Corporation. (2) The appointment of any officer or employee of the former Corporation subsisting immediately before 12 December 1975 shall, if that officer or employee so agrees, be deemed to be made by the Corporation, and for the purpose of determining the rate of pension and gratuities on retirement the service of that officer or employee shall be regarded as continuous from the time he was appointed by the former Corporation. (3) Where anything has been commenced under the authority of the former Corporation before 12 December 1975, such thing may be carried on and completed under the authority of the Corporation. (4) All rights, obligations and liabilities which immediately before 12 December 1975 were vested in or incurred by the former Corporation shall pass by succession to the Corporation, and the Corporation shall have all powers necessary to recover and deal with those rights and discharge those obligations and liabilities.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s2
section: 2
title: Interpretation
content:
2. —(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “assurance” includes any conveyance, memorandum of charge or discharge, deed of consent to the discharge of a trustee, private Act, order of court or certificate of appointment of trustee in bankruptcy; “Authority” means the Singapore Land Authority established under the Singapore Land Authority Act 2001; “caveatee” means — ( a ) the proprietor of any land who has given an estate or interest in the land to a person named in a caveat; or ( b ) the proprietor of any land, and any person having a prior registered estate or interest in land, in respect of which a caveat has been lodged by any person claiming an estate or interest in the land; “caveator” means — ( a ) a person who has been given an estate or interest in any land by the proprietor of the land; or ( b ) a person who claims an estate or interest in any land; “conveyance” includes any assignment, appointment, lease or settlement made by deed on a sale, mortgage, demise or settlement of any land or appointment of a new trustee in respect thereof which has been executed by one or more of the parties by whom any interest in the land is thereby conveyed; “land” means — ( a ) the surface of any defined parcel of the earth, so much of the subterranean space below the surface and so much of the column of airspace above the surface whether or not held apart from the surface as is reasonably necessary for the use and enjoyment of the proprietor, and includes any estate or interest therein and all vegetation growing thereon and structures affixed thereto; or ( b ) any parcel of airspace or any subterranean space held apart from the surface of the earth and described with certainty by reference to a plan approved by the Chief Surveyor and filed with the Authority, and includes any estate or interest therein and all vegetation growing thereon and structures affixed thereto, and where the context so permits, the proprietorship of land includes natural rights to air, light, water and support and the right of access to any highway on which the land abuts; “lease” includes an agreement for a lease; “memorandum of charge” includes any memorandum of a lien or charge on any land which is registered under this Act; “mortgage” includes any charge on any land for securing money or money’s worth and any transfer of a mortgage; and “mortgagee” has a corresponding meaning; “order of court” means any judgment, decree, enforcement order, writ of sequestration, adjudication in bankruptcy or other order or process of or issuing from that court or other court of competent jurisdiction whereby any interest in any land is or may be affected; [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] “prior mortgage” includes a prior charge or assignment which has been either secured by a mortgage or protected by a caveat lodged with and accepted by the Registrar as being in order for registration; “prior mortgagee” includes a prior chargee or assignee in whose favour an estate or interest in respect of land was mortgaged, charged or assigned by way of mortgage; “probate” means the probate of any will or any letters of administration with the will annexed or copy thereof, stamped with the seal of the Supreme Court or other court of competent jurisdiction, or a certified office copy thereof; “registered surveyor” means a registered surveyor under the Land Surveyors Act 1991 who has in force a practising certificate issued under that Act; [Act 25 of 2024 wef 01/10/2025] “Registrar” means the Registrar of Deeds and includes any Deputy Registrar of Deeds appointed under this Act; “Registry” means the Registry of Deeds of the Authority; “repealed enactment” means the Registration of Deeds Ordinance 1886 (Ordinance XIII of 1886) or the Registration of Deeds Act (Cap. 269, 1985 Revised Edition) which is repealed by this Act; “rules” means rules made under this Act; “subsequent mortgage” includes a subsequent charge or assignment; “subsequent mortgagee” includes a subsequent chargee or assignee in whose favour an estate or interest in respect of land was mortgaged, charged or assigned by way of mortgage; “will” includes a codicil. [24/91; 17/2001; 11/2015] (2) In this Act, any reference to a plan certified by a registered surveyor is, in relation to a plan certified at any time prior to 1 September 1972, to be construed as a reference to a plan which was certified by a surveyor licensed under any written law which was in force at the time that plan was certified.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s3
section: 3
title: Appointment of Registrar, etc.
content:
3. —(1) The Minister may appoint a Registrar of Deeds and such number of Deputy Registrars and Assistant Registrars of Deeds and other officers of the Registry as the Minister may think fit. (2) Any act or thing which may be done or performed by the Registrar under this Act may, subject to the orders and directions of the Registrar, be done or performed by a Deputy Registrar or an Assistant Registrar. (3) The Minister may create such different grades for Deputy Registrars and Assistant Registrars of Deeds as the Minister may think fit. (4) The Registrar must have a seal, and judicial notice is to be taken of the seal and of the signature of the Registrar in all legal proceedings.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s4
section: 4
title: All instruments affecting land may be registered
content:
4. Subject to this Act and the rules, all assurances executed or made, and all probates and letters of administration granted, before or after 30 November 1988 by which any land within Singapore is affected and which have not been registered under any repealed enactment, may be registered in such manner as is hereinafter directed, and unless so registered is not admissible in any court as evidence of title to the land.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s5
section: 5
title: Mode of registration
content:
5. —(1) Any person desiring to register an instrument under this Act must present to the Registrar — ( a ) in the case of instruments other than private Acts, probates, letters of administration, orders of court and certificates of appointment of trustee in bankruptcy — the original and a memorial thereof; ( b ) in the case of orders of court or certificates of appointment of trustee in bankruptcy — an office copy and a memorial thereof; ( c ) in the case of a private Act — a copy purporting to be printed or published by the Government Printer and a memorial thereof; [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] ( d ) in the case of probates or letters of administration — a memorial thereof prepared in accordance with the rules together with the probates or letters of administration; and ( e ) in the case of a memorandum of lien or charge, or a memorandum of discharge of lien or charge — the original and a memorial thereof. (2) Where the Registrar has accepted any instrument for provisional registration under this Act, he or she must — ( a ) allot a volume and number of the register to that instrument; and ( b ) endorse on the instrument or its memorial the volume and number which has been allotted and the date and time of acceptance of the instrument for provisional registration. (3) As soon as convenient after the provisional registration of any instrument has been effected, the instrument or its memorial must be duly enrolled in the register by an entry made in the index to land which is maintained by the Registrar for the purposes of the registration of instruments under this Act. (4) Upon the presentation for registration of an instrument affecting any land that has not been surveyed and demarcated to the satisfaction of the Chief Surveyor, the person on whose behalf the instrument is so presented is deemed to have made an application for the land to be surveyed and demarcated under the direction of the Chief Surveyor, and for the purposes of satisfying the Chief Surveyor on the survey and demarcation of the land, that person may either — ( a ) make application to the Chief Surveyor for the survey to be carried out by the Government Survey Department in which case the Chief Surveyor may either — (i) cause the survey to be carried out by the Government Survey Department; or (ii) direct that a registered surveyor be employed to carry out the survey; or ( b ) satisfy the Registrar by annexing an assurance plan to the instrument which has been approved by the Chief Surveyor as provided in section 13(1)( c ).


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s6
section: 6
title: Memorandum of lien or charge
content:
6. —(1) Where any lien or charge on any lands is claimed in respect of any unpaid purchase money or by reason of any deposit of title deeds or otherwise, a memorandum of the lien or charge, signed by the person against whom the lien or charge is claimed, may be provisionally registered on presentation by any person claiming to be interested therein. (2) No such lien or charge has any effect or priority as against any assurance for valuable consideration until a memorandum thereof has been registered in accordance with this Act. (3) Where any such lien or charge is satisfied or discharged, any person entitled or claiming to be entitled to any interest in the land may register a memorandum of discharge.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s7
section: 7
title:
Registration complete on compliance with conditions precedent within 6 months of provisional registration

content:
7. —(1) Immediately on compliance with section 13(1) or the provisions of section 13(1), other than paragraph ( c ) in the event of that paragraph being dispensed with, any instrument provisionally registered is deemed to have been registered under this Act as to the lands with respect to which an endorsement has been made under section 5(2), and the date, hour and minute entered under that subsection is deemed for all purposes to be the date and time of registration. (2) Immediately after the provisional registration of any instrument, probate, letters of administration, order of court, certificate of appointment of trustee in bankruptcy, private Act or memorandum of charge or discharge, there must be endorsed on — ( a ) the original instrument; ( b ) the probate or letters of administration; ( c ) the office copy of the order of court or certificate or the copy of the Act; or ( d ) the memorandum of charge or discharge, as the case may be, produced to the Registrar, a certificate stating the date, hour and minute of registration, and the volume and number in the register in which the same or a memorial thereof (as the case may be) is or is intended to be enrolled. (3) The Registrar or any officer duly authorised by the Registrar must sign the certificate mentioned in subsection (2) and seal it with the seal of the Registrar, and every certificate so signed and sealed is receivable in evidence. (4) If at the expiration of 6 months from the date of provisional registration of any instrument section 13(1) (other than paragraph ( c )) has not been fully complied with, then the provisional registration is void for all purposes and all entries in respect thereof must be cancelled. (5) Subsection (1) does not apply to any assurance in respect of any estate or interest in any residential property within the meaning of the Residential Property Act 1976 lodged with the Registrar.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s8
section: 8
title: Caveats
content:
8. —(1) Subject to this section and the rules, a caveat in respect of any land may be — ( a ) given by the proprietor of the land for any estate or interest therein in favour of any person named in the caveat; or ( b ) lodged by any person claiming an estate or interest in the land. (2) Such a caveat must contain the following particulars: ( a ) the names of the caveator and the caveatee and their addresses for the service of notices under this Act; ( b ) a description of the estate or interest in the land given to or claimed by the caveator and, if the caveator is the purchaser or sub-purchaser of the estate or interest claimed in the caveat, the amount of the purchase price and the date of the caveator’s contract or the date on which the caveator exercised the option to purchase the interest in the land, as the case may be. [27/93] (3) Where a part of a Government survey lot is affected, the caveat must have a plan annexed edging with sufficient identity that part of the lot affected. (4) The Registrar must not register a caveat which — ( a ) does not disclose any estate or interest in land; or ( b ) does not state the Government survey lot number maintained in the records of the Chief Surveyor or, in the case where a part of a Government survey lot is affected, does not state that part of the existing lot and does not clearly identify that part of the lot in one or more plans annexed to the caveat. (5) Where, after the acceptance of any caveat for provisional registration, the Registrar discovers that the caveat does not comply with any of the requirements under this section or the rules, the Registrar may cancel the provisional registration. (6) Despite subsections (4) and (5), the Registrar must not be concerned to consider whether or not a caveator’s claim is justified. (7) Where a caveat is lodged by a person claiming an estate or interest in land or by the person’s solicitor or agent, the person must serve a notice by registered post on the proprietor of the land and all persons who have prior claims as shown in the register, and the Registrar must not be concerned to inquire whether or not the notice has been effected. (8) If within the period during which a caveat remains in force any subsequent assurance made or executed — ( a ) in favour of — (i) the person to whom a caveat has been granted under subsection (1)( a ); or (ii) the person who has lodged a caveat under subsection (1)( b ); and ( b ) conveying the same estate or interest protected by and so described in the subsisting caveat is presented and accepted for registration, that assurance when registered has priority as though it had been registered on the date the caveat was registered and that date is deemed to be the date of registration of the assurance for all purposes and to have been substituted in all certificates and other instruments for the date on which the assurance was actually presented for enrolment accordingly. (9) A caveat registered under this Act is, unless withdrawn by the caveator or cancelled by an order of court, in force for a period of 5 years.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s9
section: 9
title: Persons to present documents for registration
content:
9. —(1) An assurance or caveat must not be provisionally registered under this Act unless it is presented for registration by — ( a ) a person who has executed or claims under it; ( b ) the legal personal representative of that person; ( c ) the agent of that person or representative duly authorised by power of attorney, executed and authenticated in the manner hereinafter mentioned; or ( d ) the solicitor of that person or that person’s representative. (2) An instrument must not be provisionally registered on behalf of a corporation or company, unless it is presented for registration — ( a ) in the case of a corporation sole, by the corporation and in the case of a company or other corporation aggregate, by a director or secretary of the company or other corporation; ( b ) by the agent of the corporation or company duly authorised thereunto by a power of attorney; or ( c ) by the solicitor of the corporation or company.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s10
section: 10
title: Powers of attorney for purposes of section 9
content:
10. For the purposes of section 9, where any assurance or caveat has been executed by any agent or representative duly authorised by a power of attorney, the Registrar may require the power of attorney to be deposited in the Registry of the Supreme Court pursuant to section 48 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1886 before the assurance or caveat is provisionally registered under this Act.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s11
section: 11
title: Inquiry before registration
content:
11. —(1) An assurance or caveat must not be provisionally registered under this Act unless the persons who have executed it or their legal personal representatives or the agents authorised as in section 10 of those persons or representatives appear either simultaneously or at different times before the Registrar and admit such execution. (2) The Registrar must — ( a ) inquire whether or not the instrument was executed by the persons by whom it purports to have been executed; ( b ) satisfy himself or herself as to the identity of the persons appearing before him or her and alleging that they have executed the instrument; and ( c ) in the case of any person appearing as a legal personal representative or agent, satisfy himself or herself of the right of that person so to appear. (3) If all the persons who have executed the instrument appear personally before the Registrar and are personally known to the Registrar, or if the Registrar is otherwise satisfied that they are the persons they represent themselves to be, and if they all admit the execution or, in the case of any person appearing by an agent, if the person’s agent admits the execution, or if the person who has executed the instrument is dead and his or her legal personal representative appears before the Registrar and admits the execution, the Registrar must provisionally register the instrument under this Act. (4) The Registrar may, in order to satisfy himself or herself that the persons appearing before him or her are the persons they represent themselves to be, or for any other purpose contemplated by this Act, examine on oath or affirmation any one present in his or her office. (5) This section does not apply in the case of a person whose execution of the instrument is certified in the prescribed form, subject to variations permitted under the rules, by — ( a ) an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court; ( b ) a consular officer or representative of Singapore; or ( c ) a notary public practising in the country where the execution takes place. (6) This section does not apply in the case of any instrument which has been executed by a company or corporation under its common seal, if — ( a ) a director or the secretary of the company or corporation by which the instrument purports to have been executed appears before the Registrar and admits that the instrument was executed in accordance with the articles of association or other rules governing the management of the affairs of the company or corporation and that the seal affixed to the instrument is the seal of that company or corporation; or ( b ) the execution of the instrument is certified in the prescribed form subject to variations permitted under the rules made under this Act by — (i) an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court; (ii) a consular officer or representative of Singapore; or (iii) a notary public practising in the country where the execution takes place. (7) Where there is no notary public practising in the country where the execution takes place, this section does not apply if an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court certifies on the instrument that — ( a ) the person executing the instrument is his or her client; ( b ) his or her client is of full age and legal capacity; and ( c ) he or she is satisfied that the instrument was executed by his or her client. (8) Where an instrument is executed by a company or corporation under its common seal in a country where there is no practising notary public, this section does not apply if an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court certifies on the instrument that — ( a ) the company or corporation executing the instrument is his or her client; and ( b ) he or she is satisfied that the instrument was executed by the company or corporation in accordance with the articles of association or other rules governing the management of the affairs of the company or corporation and that the seal affixed onto the instrument is the seal of the company or corporation. (9) This section does not apply in the case of any instrument executed by the Public Trustee or the Official Assignee under his or her official seal.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s12
section: 12
title: Procedure where appearance of executant or witness is desired
content:
12. —(1) If any person presenting any instrument for provisional registration desires the appearance of any person whose presence or testimony is necessary for the provisional registration of the instrument, the Registrar may issue a summons requiring him or her to appear at the Registry either in person or by a duly authorised agent as in the summons mentioned and at the time named therein. (2) A person who by reason of bodily infirmity is unable without risk or serious inconvenience to appear at the Registry and a person in jail under civil or criminal process are not required so to appear, but in every such case the Registrar must either himself or herself go to the house of that person or to the jail in which that person is confined and examine him or her or issue a commission for his or her examination. (3) The law in force for the time being as to summonses, commissions and compelling the attendance of witnesses and for their remuneration in suits before a District Court applies with the necessary modifications to any summons or commission issued and any person summoned to appear under this Act.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s13
section: 13
title: Conditions precedent to registration
content:
13. —(1) An instrument or memorial must not be registered — ( a ) unless it is duly stamped in accordance with any written law for the time being in force relating to the collection of stamp duties; ( b ) so long as any arrears of land revenue after demand for payment has been made remain due to the State in respect of the land or any part of that land included in or affected by the instrument or memorial; ( c ) unless the boundaries of all lands affected by the instrument or memorial have been surveyed and demarcated to the satisfaction of the Chief Surveyor or unless there is annexed to the original instrument presented for registration an assurance plan which is referred to in section 21 of the Land Surveyors Act (Cap. 156, 1985 Revised Edition) and has been endorsed by the Chief Surveyor to indicate that it has been approved by the Chief Surveyor with the caution as to the inconclusiveness of its boundaries and dimensions; ( d ) if the fees for registration having been demanded remain unpaid; and ( e ) which is not in accordance with any written law which applies to assurances affecting land not subject to the Land Titles Act (Cap. 157, 1985 Revised Edition). (2) Where the requirement in subsection (1)( c ) has not been complied with, the instrument or memorial may be registered under this Act if the Registrar has granted dispensation from compliance with that requirement pursuant to the rules. (3) If by error any instrument has a wrong town subdivision or mukim number, demarcation lot number or part number, or a wrong area endorsed upon it, the Collector of Land Revenue may visit the land and there hold an inquiry into the matter, and if the Collector is satisfied that all the parties to the instrument who can be found within Singapore or their representatives (if any) admit the error and that the instrument has in fact been wrongly endorsed, then, despite the absence of any parties who are dead or have left Singapore, the Collector may, by order in writing, direct the endorsement on the instrument to be corrected and may make the correction upon the instrument being produced to him or her. (4) A certified copy of any order made under subsection (3) must be served by the Collector on the Registrar who must make it available for inspection by the public. (5) Upon the service of a certified copy of any order made under subsection (3) on the Registrar, any instrument, register, book or index kept at the Registry which is affected by the order is to be construed as if the corrections directed by the Collector had been in the instrument, register, book or index and the Registrar must, if it is practicable for him or her to do so, make the corrections on the instrument, register, book or index.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s14
section: 14
title: Priority of instruments
content:
14. —(1) Subject to this Act, all instruments registered under any repealed enactment, or entitled to be registered under this Act, have priority according to the date of their registration and not according to the date of the instruments or of their execution. (2) Nothing in this Act interferes with the priorities as between themselves of any instruments the dates of registration of which are identical. (3) All priorities given by this Act have full effect in all courts except in cases of actual fraud, to which the person by or on whose behalf the registration is made is a party, and all persons claiming thereunder any legal or equitable interests are entitled to corresponding priorities, and no such person loses any such priority merely in consequence of the person having been affected with actual or constructive notice except in cases of actual fraud to which the person is a party. (4) Nothing in this section operates to confer upon any person claiming without valuable consideration under any person any further priority or protection than would belong to the person under whom that person claims, and any disposition of land or charge on land which, if unregistered, would be fraudulent and void is, despite registration, fraudulent and void in like manner.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s15
section: 15
title: Tacking of further advances
content:
15. —(1) Despite any other provision of this Act, a prior mortgagee of land has the right to make further advances giving further credit or accommodation to rank in priority to subsequent mortgages — ( a ) if the prior mortgage authorises the making of further advances, or the giving of credit in instalments or on a current, revolving or continuing account or other accommodation; or ( b ) where the prior mortgage does not expressly authorise the making of the further advances, or for the giving of credit in instalments or on a current, revolving or continuing account or other accommodation, if the subsequent mortgagee agrees to the further advances being made or the credit or other accommodation being given. [27/93] (2) Except as provided in this section, the right to tack does not apply to mortgages.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s16
section: 16
title: Rights of purchasers to relief to be same as those of persons through whom they claim
content:
16. Any person claiming under any assurance duly registered has and is entitled to all the same grounds of relief as against any person claiming through any assurance of a subsequent date to that under which the person claims but which has acquired priority by earlier registration as the person through whom that person claims under that firstmentioned assurance might have had and been entitled to.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s17
section: 17
title: Registration
content:
17. —(1) Subject to this Act and the rules, the Registrar must register all assurances and other instruments that are entitled to be registered under this Act which, or memorials of which, are presented to him or her for registration in the order in which they are so presented and must make such entries as are prescribed. (2) An assurance or instrument must not be registered under this Act unless it complies with the requirements of this Act and the rules. (3) The register maintained by the Registrar for the purposes of this Act may be kept wholly or partly — ( a ) on paper or microfilm, or in any other medium or a combination of mediums capable of having information recorded in or upon it or them; and ( b ) in a device for storing and processing information. (4) The Registrar may microfilm assurances and other instruments registered under this Act and any repealed enactment and dispose of them in such manner as he or she may think fit after they have been microfilmed.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s18
section: 18
title: Title searches
content:
18. —(1) Subject to this Act and the rules, any person may, upon such days and during such hours as are appointed by the Registrar and upon payment of the prescribed fees, inspect and search the public records kept at the Registry under this Act and the rules and obtain computer print-outs, photocopies or microprints of the records or extracts therefrom. (2) The following records kept at the Registry are public records: ( a ) all instruments and their memorials which are registered or provisionally registered under this Act or any repealed enactment; ( b ) indices and other records which are maintained by the Registrar on paper or microfilms or in a computer to facilitate searches to be made of instruments and their memorials which are registered or provisionally registered under this Act or any repealed enactment.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s19
section: 19
title: Official searches
content:
19. —(1) Subject to this Act and the rules, any person may at any time require an official search to be made on the person’s behalf at the Registry by delivering to the Registrar a requisition in writing signed by the person. (2) The requisition mentioned in subsection (1) must specify the Government survey lot number and mukim number or town subdivision number and either — ( a ) the specified instruments which have been registered or provisionally registered under this Act or any repealed enactment; or ( b ) the period of the official search required commencing with a specified instrument, provided that the period does not exceed the statutory period of limitation for title to be deduced under the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1886. (3) Upon receipt of any requisition mentioned in subsection (1), the Registrar must — ( a ) cause a diligent search to be made; ( b ) give a certificate of the result of that search to the person requiring it to be made; and ( c ) sign the certificate and seal it with his or her seal, and every certificate so signed and sealed is receivable in evidence.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s20
section: 20
title: Record of official searches
content:
20. —(1) Where any official search has been made under this Act, a record of the result of the search must be preserved at the Registry. (2) The Registrar must give a certificate of that result to any person requiring it and must sign the certificate and endorse it with his or her seal, and every certificate so signed and sealed is receivable in evidence.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s21
section: 21
title: Certified copies
content:
21. —(1) Subject to this Act and the rules, any person may require a certified copy of or extract from any document enrolled in the register or any entry in the register or any other public record maintained by the Registrar under this Act and the rules, and thereupon a certified copy or extract signed by the Registrar and endorsed with his or her seal must be given to that person. (2) Every such copy or extract so signed and sealed is receivable as evidence of the contents of that document or entry in every case where those contents may under the rules of evidence be proved by means of any copy or extract. (3) Nothing in this section is to be taken to dispense with the production of any original document in any case in which the production of the original document might otherwise be required, nor to dispense with any proof which might otherwise be required as to the due making and execution of the original document.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s22
section: 22
title: Print-outs of information stored
content:
22. Where a public record in the custody of the Registrar is stored in a computer, a document purporting to be a print-out of that public record and certified to be a true reproduction of that public record is receivable in evidence.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s23
section: 23
title: Protection of solicitors, trustees, etc., in case of certificates, etc.
content:
23. Where any solicitor, trustee, executor, agent or other person in a fiduciary position, either by himself or herself or by a solicitor, obtains — ( a ) a certificate of the result of an official search; or ( b ) a certified copy of or extract from any document enrolled in the register or any entry in the register or any other public record maintained by the Registrar under this Act or the rules, the solicitor, trustee, executor, agent or other person is not answerable for any loss, damage or injury that arises from any error in that certificate, copy or extract.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s24
section: 24
title: Rectification of register by General Division of High Court
content:
24. —(1) Any person claiming any estate or interest in any land within Singapore may at any time apply to the General Division of the High Court for an order that — ( a ) the register or any book or index kept at the Registry under this Act or the rules must be rectified; ( b ) any entry may be made or interpolated in any such register, book or index; ( c ) any entry in such a register, book or index may be cancelled; ( d ) any certificate endorsed or given under this Act may be amended or cancelled; ( e ) any deed, probate, letters of administration, certificate or other document may be produced to the Registrar for the purpose of any registration, entry or cancellation; or ( f ) the priority by this Act granted to assurances or other instruments upon the registration thereof may be suspended in whole or in part during the continuance of any proceedings then pending in any court as to any assurances registered after the date of the order. [40/2019] (2) An application mentioned in subsection (1) must be served on the Registrar of Titles where the application affects the proprietorship, description or area of any land comprised in a certificate of title issued under the Land Titles Act (Cap. 157, 1985 Revised Edition). (3) The court may either refuse such an application or, if satisfied of the justice of the case, may make such order in reference thereto and as to the costs thereof as in the opinion of the court is just and expedient. (4) Any jurisdiction under this section may be exercised by any judge whether sitting in open court or in chambers. (5) Any person aggrieved by an order made by the court under this section may appeal within the prescribed time in the same manner and with the same incidents in and with which orders made by the court in cases within its ordinary jurisdiction may be appealed from. (6) Upon registration of an order made by the court under this section, any instrument, register, book or index kept at the Registry which is affected by the order of court is to be construed as if the amendments, rectifications, cancellations or endorsements ordered by the court had been made in the instrument, register, book or index and the Registrar must, if so directed by the order of court, make the amendments, rectifications, cancellations or endorsements on the instrument, register, book or index unless it is not practicable for the Registrar to do so. (7) The Registrar may require any person who has custody, possession or control of any instrument which is the subject of an order of court made under this section to produce that instrument to the Registrar for amendments, rectifications or endorsements to be made on the instrument or to cancel the instrument in accordance with the terms of that order of court; and if that person refuses or neglects to produce that instrument, that person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s25
section: 25
title: Act not to extend to certain leaseholds
content:
25. —(1) Nothing in this Act extends to any lease for a term not exceeding 7 years or any assignment thereof where accompanied by actual possession from the making of the lease or assignment. (2) For the purposes of determining whether or not an instrument may be registered under this Act — ( a ) the right or option to extend the term of a lease for any further period granted by the lessor to the lessee is deemed to be part of the term of years granted by the lease; and ( b ) no account is to be taken of the fact that the lease may be determined on the happening of an event during the duration of the lease.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s26
section: 26
title: Penalty for wilful misconduct by Registrar
content:
26. The Registrar or any person employed by or under the Registrar for the purposes of this Act, who wilfully neglects his or her duty in the execution of his or her office according to the rules and directions in this Act mentioned, or wilfully commits or suffers to be committed any undue or fraudulent practice in the execution of that office, intending thereby to cause or knowing it to be likely that he or she may thereby cause injury as defined in the Penal Code 1871 to any person, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be punished on conviction with a fine or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or with both.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s27
section: 27
title: Offences and penalties
content:
27. Any person who — ( a ) intentionally makes any false statement, whether on oath or not, before an officer acting in the execution of this Act; ( b ) fraudulently procures, assists in fraudulently procuring, or is privy to the fraudulent procuring of any instrument, or any entry in, any alteration or erasure of, or any addition to, in any register or record kept at the Registry; ( c ) intentionally delivers to a registering officer a false document; ( d ) knowingly misleads or deceives any person authorised by this Act to demand an explanation or any information with respect to any land, or the title to any land with respect to any instrument registered or provisionally registered; ( e ) falsely impersonates another and in that assumed character presents any document or makes any statement or does any other act for the purposes of this Act; ( f ) fraudulently removes from the Registry any part of the records or any instrument kept at the Registry or causes any defacement, obliteration, mutilation or unauthorised entry or alteration to be made to the record or instrument; or ( g ) abets the commission of an offence under this Act, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s28
section: 28
title: Fees
content:
28. —(1) The Registrar is not required to do any act or permit any act to be done in respect of which any fee is specified or fixed except on payment of that fee. (2) All fees collected under or in connection with any service provided by the Registrar under this Act or any rules made under this Act must be paid into the funds of the Authority. [17/2001]


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s29
section: 29
title: Rules
content:
29. —(1) The Authority may make rules with respect to all or any of the following matters: ( a ) the form of the register and the mode in which it is to be made and kept; ( b ) the preparation and keeping at the Registry of any books and indexes and the entries to be made therein for the purpose of effecting any registration; ( c ) the mode in which registration or provisional registration is to be conducted; ( d ) the making of entries in the register where any mortgage, lien or charge with reference to which any instrument has been registered under this Act has been satisfied or discharged; ( e ) the forms of memorials, memoranda of discharge, certificates and other instruments to be prepared for the purposes of this Act; ( f ) the making of searches and the giving of certified copies and prescribing the fees therefor; ( g ) the custody of the register and other documents connected with the business of registration; ( h ) exempting leases for a term exceeding 7 years or assignments thereof from any of the provisions of this Act, and prescribing the method by which the boundaries of land comprised in those leases must be recorded; ( i ) exempting instruments relating to land intended to form part of street or back lanes from any of the provisions of this Act, and prescribing the mode in which such instruments may be registered; ( j ) enabling the Registrar in his or her discretion to dispense with the requirements of section 13(1)( c ) when he or she considers it desirable to do so; ( k ) the persons by whom and the manner in which any memorandum of discharge must be signed; ( l ) generally to carry into effect the objects of this Act. [17/2001] (2) The Authority, with the approval of the Minister, may make rules prescribing — ( a ) the fees for any matter or thing done under this Act; or ( b ) the penalties or additional fees to be taken by the Registrar for delay in removing instruments after registration. [17/2001] (3) All rules made under this Act must be published in the Gazette .


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s30
section: 30
title: Service of notices
content:
30. —(1) Any notice required by this Act to be served on any person is deemed to be duly served on the person if sent by registered post to the person’s last known address in Singapore despite the fact that it is returned through the post as undelivered. (2) Section 72 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1886 does not apply to the service on a proprietor of a notice under this Act.


document_id: rda-1988
provision_ref: s31
section: 31
title: Transitional provisions
content:
31. —(1) Any register, instrument, index or other document maintained under the repealed Registration of Deeds Act (Cap. 269, 1985 Revised Edition) must continue to be maintained under a corresponding provision of this Act or any of the rules. (2) Insofar as any entry in a register or instrument was made or other thing whatsoever was done under the repealed Registration of Deeds Act (Cap. 269, 1985 Revised Edition), that entry or thing has effect as if made or done under a corresponding provision of this Act or any of the rules. (3) Any lease for a term exceeding 3 years but less than 7 years or any assignment thereof executed or made before 30 November 1988 and which was not registered under the repealed Registration of Deeds Act (Cap. 269, 1985 Revised Edition) may, despite section 25 of this Act, be registered under this Act, and unless so registered is not admissible in any court as evidence of title to land. (4) Any written law or other document referring to the repealed Registration of Deeds Act (Cap. 269, 1985 Revised Edition) is, as far as may be necessary for preserving its effect, to be construed as referring, or as including a reference, to this Act. (5) Nothing in this section is to be taken as prejudicing the operation of section 16 of the Interpretation Act 1965 (which relates to the effect of repeals).


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s2
chapter: PART 1 - PRELIMINARY
section: 2
title: Interpretation
content:
2. —(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “application for registration”, in relation to a design, means an application under section 11 for the registration of the design; “article” means any thing that is manufactured (whether by an industrial process, by hand or otherwise), and includes — ( a ) any part of an article, if that part is made and sold separately; and ( b ) any set of articles; “artistic work” has the meaning given by section 20(1) of the Copyright Act 2021; “Convention country” means a country or territory, other than Singapore, which is a party to the Paris Convention or a member of the World Trade Organisation; “corresponding design”, in relation to an artistic work, means a design which, when applied to an article or a non‑physical product, results in a reproduction of that work; “Court” means the General Division of the High Court; “design” means features of shape, configuration, colours, pattern or ornament applied to any article or non‑physical product that give that article or non‑physical product its appearance, but does not include — ( a ) a method or principle of construction; ( b ) features of shape, configuration or colours of an article or a non‑physical product that — (i) are dictated solely by the function that the article or non‑physical product has to perform; (ii) are dependent upon the appearance of another article or non‑physical product of which the article or non‑physical product is intended by the designer to form an integral part; or (iii) enable the article or non‑physical product to be connected to, or placed in, around or against, another article or non‑physical product, so that either article or non‑physical product may perform its function; or ( c ) features consisting only of one or more colours that — (i) are not used with any feature of shape or configuration; and (ii) do not give rise to any feature of pattern or ornament; “designer”, in relation to a design, means the person who creates it or, if there are 2 or more such persons, each of those persons; “exclusive licence” means a licence from the registered owner of a registered design authorising the licensee, or the licensee and persons authorised by the licensee, to the exclusion of all other persons (including the registered owner), to use the design in the manner authorised by the licence and “exclusive licensee” is to be construed accordingly; “formal requirements” means — ( a ) the requirements of section 11(2)( c ) and (4)( a ); and ( b ) any other requirements of section 11, or of rules made for the purposes of that section, that are prescribed as formal requirements; “International Bureau” means the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organisation; “non‑physical product” — ( a ) means any thing that — (i) does not have a physical form; (ii) is produced by the projection of a design on a surface or into a medium (including air); and (iii) has an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not merely to portray the appearance of the thing or to convey information; and ( b ) includes any set of non‑physical products; “Office” means the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore incorporated under the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore Act 2001; “owner” has the meaning given by section 4; “Paris Convention” means the Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property signed at Paris on 20 March 1883, as revised or amended from time to time; “Register” means the Register of Designs maintained under section 53; “registered design” means a design registered under this Act; “registered owner”, in relation to a registered design, means the person whose name is for the time being entered in the Register as the owner of the design or, if there are 2 or more such persons, each of those persons; “Registrar” means the Registrar of Designs referred to in section 49 and includes any Deputy Registrar of Designs referred to in that section; “Registry” means the Registry of Designs established under section 51; “set of articles” means 2 or more articles of the same general character that are ordinarily on sale together or intended to be used together, and to each of which the same design, or the same design with modifications or variations not sufficient to alter the character or substantially to affect the identity of the design, is applied; “set of articles and non‑physical products” means one or more articles and one or more non‑physical products — ( a ) all of which are of the same general character and are ordinarily on sale together or intended to be used together; and ( b ) to each of which the same design, or the same design with modifications or variations not sufficient to alter the character or substantially to affect the identity of the design, is applied; “set of non‑physical products” means 2 or more non‑physical products of the same general character that are ordinarily on sale together or intended to be used together, and to each of which the same design, or the same design with modifications or variations not sufficient to alter the character or substantially to affect the identity of the design, is applied. [16/2012; 29/2017; 40/2019; 22/2021] (2) Unless the context otherwise requires — ( a ) any reference in this Act to the filing of a document is to be construed as a reference to the filing of the document with the Registrar; ( b ) any reference in this Act to an article in respect of which a design is registered is, in the case of a design registered in respect of a set of articles or a set of articles and non‑physical products, a reference to any article of that set; ( c ) any reference in this Act to a non‑physical product in respect of which a design is registered is, in the case of a design registered in respect of a set of non‑physical products or a set of articles and non‑physical products, a reference to any non‑physical product of that set; and ( d ) any reference to the infringement of a registered design is to be construed as a reference to the infringement of any right in the design conferred by this Act. [29/2017] (3) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, a device for projecting a non‑physical product — ( a ) is any device that when activated projects the non‑physical product on a surface or into a medium (including air); and ( b ) includes any product or component that is used in or with a device mentioned in paragraph ( a ) to project the non‑physical product on a surface or into a medium (including air). [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s4
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 4
title: Owner of design
content:
4. —(1) Subject to this section, the designer of a design is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as the owner of the design. (2) Where a design is created by an employee in the course of his or her employment, his or her employer is to be treated as the owner of the design. [29/2017] (3) Subsection (2) is subject to any agreement to the contrary between the parties concerned. [29/2017] (4) Where a design, or the right to apply a design to any article or non‑physical product, becomes vested, whether by assignment, transmission or operation of law, in any person other than the owner, either alone or jointly with the owner, that other person or (as the case may be) the owner and that other person, is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as the owner of the design or as the owner of the design in relation to that article or non‑physical product. [29/2017] (5) In the case of a design generated by computer in circumstances such that there is no human designer, the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the creation of the design are made is deemed to be the designer. Division 2 &#x2014; Registrable Designs


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s5
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 5
title: New design may be registered
content:
5. —(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, a design which is new may, upon application by the person claiming to be the owner, be registered in respect of an article, a non‑physical product, or a set of articles and non‑physical products, specified in the application. [29/2017] (2) A design for which an application for registration is made is not to be regarded as new if it is the same as a design — ( a ) registered in respect of the same or any other article, non‑physical product or set of articles and non‑physical products pursuant to a prior application; or ( b ) published in Singapore or elsewhere in respect of the same or any other article, non‑physical product or set of articles and non‑physical products before the date of the firstmentioned application, or if it differs from such a design only in immaterial details or in features which are variants commonly used in the trade. [29/2017] (3) The Registrar may, in such cases as may be prescribed, direct that, for the purpose of deciding whether a design is new, an application for registration of the design is to be treated as filed on a date earlier or later than that on which it was in fact filed.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s6
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 6
title: Designs contrary to public order or morality
content:
6. A design is not registrable if the publication or use of it would be contrary to public order or morality.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s7
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 7
title: Computer programs, etc., not registrable
content:
7. —(1) No computer program or layout-design may be registered under this Act. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), “layout-design” has the meaning given by the Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits Act 1999. (3) The Minister may make rules — ( a ) to exclude from registration under this Act designs for such articles and non‑physical products of a primarily literary or artistic character as the Minister considers appropriate; and ( b ) to provide that any design described in the rules must not be registered under this Act, or must not be so registered unless such conditions as may be prescribed are met. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s8
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 8
title: Disclosure, etc., of design before certain date
content:
8. —(1) Subject to subsection (3), an application for registration of a design must not be refused, and the registration of a design must not be revoked, by reason only of — ( a ) the disclosure of the design by the owner to any other person in such circumstances as would make it contrary to good faith for that other person to use or publish the design; ( b ) the disclosure of the design in breach of good faith by any person other than the owner of the design; ( c ) in the case of a new or original textile design intended for registration, the acceptance of a first and confidential order for goods bearing the design; or ( d ) the communication of the design by the owner to a Government department or the Office or to any person authorised by a Government department or the Office to consider the merits of the design, or of anything done in consequence of such a communication. [29/2017] (2) Subject to subsection (3), an application for registration of a design must not be refused, and the registration of a design must not be revoked, by reason only — ( a ) that a representation of the design, or any article to which the design has been applied, has been displayed, with the consent of the owner of the design, at an official international exhibition; ( b ) that after any such display as is mentioned in paragraph ( a ), and during the period of the exhibition, a representation of the design, or any article to which the design has been applied, has been displayed by any person without the consent of the owner; or ( c ) that a representation of the design has been published in consequence of any such display as is mentioned in paragraph ( a ), if the application for registration of the design is made no later than 6 months after the opening of the exhibition. [29/2017] (3) This section only applies to — ( a ) a disclosure mentioned in subsection (1)( a ) or ( b ); ( b ) an acceptance mentioned in subsection (1)( c ); ( c ) a communication mentioned in subsection (1)( d ), or anything done in consequence of such a communication; ( d ) a display mentioned in subsection (2)( a ) or ( b ); or ( e ) a publication mentioned in subsection (2)( c ), that occurs before 30 October 2017. [29/2017] (4) In this section, “official international exhibition” means an official, or officially recognised, international exhibition falling within the terms of the Convention on International Exhibitions signed at Paris on 22 November 1928, and any protocols to that Convention, as revised or amended from time to time.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s8A
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 8A
title: Disclosure of design on or after certain date
content:
8A. —(1) An application for registration of a design must not be refused, and the registration of a design must not be revoked, by reason only of any of the following: ( a ) a disclosure of the design made to a person other than the designer, or any successor in title of the designer, under conditions of confidentiality (whether express or implied); ( b ) a disclosure of the design made by the designer, or any successor in title of the designer, during the period of 12 months immediately before the date of filing of the application for registration of the design; ( c ) a disclosure of the design made by a person other than the designer, or any successor in title of the designer, during the period of 12 months immediately before the date of filing of the application for registration of the design, in consequence of information provided, or any other action taken, by the designer or any successor in title of the designer; ( d ) a disclosure of the design made during the period of 12 months immediately before the date of filing of the application for registration of the design, as a consequence of an abuse in relation to the designer or any successor in title of the designer. [29/2017] (2) This section only applies to a disclosure mentioned in subsection (1)( a ), ( b ), ( c ) or ( d ) that is made on or after 30 October 2017. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s8B
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 8B
title: Disclosure of design to be registered in respect of non‑physical product
content:
8B. An application for registration of a design in respect of a non‑physical product must not be refused, and the registration pursuant to that application of the design in respect of the non‑physical product must not be revoked, by reason only of a disclosure of the design made before the date of filing of that application, if that application is filed during the period of 12 months immediately after 30 October 2017. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s9
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 9
title: Provisions as to artistic works
content:
9. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), where an application is filed by or with the consent of the owner of copyright in an artistic work for the registration of a corresponding design, the design is not to be treated for the purposes of this Act as being other than new by reason only of any use previously made of the artistic work. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if — ( a ) the previous use consisted of or included the sale, letting for hire, or offer or exposure for sale or hire, of — (i) articles or non‑physical products to which had been applied — (A) the design in question; or (B) a design differing from the design in question only in immaterial details or in features that are variants commonly used in the trade (called in this subsection an immaterial variant); or (ii) devices for projecting any non‑physical products mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i); ( b ) the design in question or an immaterial variant had been applied industrially in relation to those articles, non‑physical products or devices; and ( c ) the previous use was made by or with the consent of the copyright owner. [29/2017] (3) The Minister may make rules to provide for the circumstances in which a design is to be regarded as having been applied industrially, in relation to articles, non‑physical products or devices for projecting non‑physical products, for the purposes of this section. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s10
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 10
title: Subsequent registration of design in respect of other articles or non-physical products, etc.
content:
10. —(1) Where the registered owner of a design registered in respect of an article or a non‑physical product files — ( a ) an application for registration of the registered design in respect of one or more other articles or non‑physical products; or ( b ) an application for registration of a design consisting of the registered design with modifications or variations not sufficient to alter the character or substantially to affect the identity of the registered design, in respect of the same or one or more other articles or non‑physical products, the application must not be refused, and the registration made on the application must not be revoked, by reason only of the previous registration or publication of the registered design. [29/2017] (2) The right in a design registered by virtue of subsection (1) does not extend beyond the end of the period, and any extended period, for which the right subsists in the original design. (3) Where a person files an application for registration of a design in respect of an article or a non‑physical product and either — ( a ) the design has been previously registered by another person in respect of some other article or non‑physical product; or ( b ) the design to which the application relates is a design previously registered by another person in respect of the same or some other article or non‑physical product with modifications or variations not sufficient to alter the character or substantially to affect the identity of the registered design, then, if at any time while the application is pending, the applicant becomes the registered owner of the design previously registered, subsection (1) applies as if, at the time of filing the application, the applicant had been the registered owner of that design. [29/2017] Division 3 &#x2014; Proceedings for Registration


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s11
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 11
title: Application for registration
content:
11. —(1) An application for registration of a design must be filed in the prescribed manner with the Registrar, and is subject to the payment of the prescribed application fee. [16/2012] (2) The application must — ( a ) contain a request for the registration of a design; ( b ) state the name and address of the applicant; and ( c ) contain a clear representation of the design. [16/2012] (3) Except as otherwise provided in section 16A, the date on which the application is filed is the earliest date on which — ( a ) the fee payable under subsection (1) has been paid or is treated by the Registrar as paid; and ( b ) all the requirements under subsection (2) have been satisfied. [16/2012; 29/2017] (4) An application may be filed under subsection (1) for the registration of 2 or more designs, if — ( a ) the articles, non‑physical products, or sets of articles and non‑physical products, to which any of those designs is intended to be applied, as specified in the application, fall within the same class, or (if they fall within more than one class) all of the same classes, under the classification mentioned in section 75(1)( c ), as the articles, non‑physical products, or sets of articles and non‑physical products, to which each of the other designs is intended to be applied, as specified in the application; and ( b ) the application complies with such other requirements as may be prescribed. [29/2017] (5) Every application filed under subsection (1) for the registration of 2 or more designs is to be treated as if a separate application had been filed under that subsection for the registration of each of those designs. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s12
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 12
title: Claim to priority of Convention application
content:
12. —(1) Subject to subsection (7), where — ( a ) a person has filed an application for the registration of a design in a Convention country in respect of certain articles, non-physical products, or sets of articles and non-physical products; [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] ( b ) that application is the first application for the registration of the design to be filed in any Convention country in respect of those articles, non-physical products, or sets of articles and non-physical products (called in this section the first Convention application); [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] ( c ) within 6 months after the date on which the first Convention application is filed, that person or that person’s successor in title applies under this Act for the registration of the design in respect of all or any of those articles, non-physical products, or sets of articles and non-physical products; and [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] ( d ) that person or that person’s successor in title provides to the Registrar, upon request by the Registrar — (i) any prescribed information; and (ii) any supporting document, in the manner and within the time specified by the Registrar, that person or that person’s successor in title may, when filing the application under this Act, claim a right of priority for the registration of the design in respect of all or any of the articles, non-physical products, or sets of articles and non-physical products for which registration was sought in the first Convention application. [29/2017] [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (2) Where any person claims a right of priority in accordance with subsection (1) in respect of an application for the registration of a design — ( a ) the person has priority from (and including) the date on which the first Convention application was filed; and ( b ) the application is to be treated, for the purposes of determining whether that or any other design is new, as filed on the date on which the first Convention application was filed. (3) Subsection (2) is not to be construed as excluding the power to give directions under section 5(3) in relation to the application for the registration of a design. (4) Despite any of the provisions of this Act, where a right of priority is claimed in respect of an application for the registration of a design, the application must not be refused, and the registration of the design under this Act must not be revoked, by reason only of the fact that the first Convention application has been published during the period between — ( a ) the date the first Convention application was filed; and ( b ) the date the application under this Act was filed. (5) Any filing of an application for the registration of a design which in a Convention country is equivalent to a regular national filing, under its domestic legislation or an international agreement, is to be treated as giving rise to the right of priority. (6) In subsection (5), “regular national filing” means a filing which is adequate to establish the date on which the application was filed in the Convention country, whatever may be the outcome of the application. (7) Where a subsequent application for registration of a design concerning the same subject as an earlier application is filed, whether in the same or a different Convention country, and these are the first 2 applications concerning that subject to be filed in any Convention country, the subsequent application is to be considered the first Convention application if, at the date the subsequent application is filed — ( a ) the earlier application has been withdrawn, abandoned or refused, without having been laid open to public inspection and without leaving any rights outstanding; and ( b ) the earlier application has not yet served as a basis for claiming a right of priority. (8) To avoid doubt, where subsection (7) applies — ( a ) the date on which the subsequent application was filed, rather than that of the earlier application, is to be considered the starting date of the period of priority under subsection (2); and ( b ) the earlier application may not thereafter serve as a basis for claiming a right of priority. (9) The Minister may make rules as to the manner of claiming priority under this section. (10) A right to priority arising under this section may be assigned or otherwise transmitted, either with the application or independently, and the reference in subsection (1) to the applicant’s “successor in title” is to be construed accordingly.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s13
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 13
title: Claim to priority of other overseas applications
content:
13. —(1) The Minister may by order confer on a person who has filed an application for registration of a design in a country or territory to which the Government has entered into a treaty, convention, arrangement or engagement for the reciprocal protection of registered designs, a right to priority, for the purpose of registering the same design under this Act for some or all of the same articles, non-physical products, or sets of articles and non-physical products, for a specified period from the date of filing of that application. [29/2017] [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (2) An order under this section may make provision corresponding to that set out in section 12 or such other provision as appears to the Minister to be appropriate.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s14
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 14
title: Withdrawal of application
content:
14. —(1) An applicant may withdraw his or her application for registration of a design by filing a notice of withdrawal with the Registrar in the prescribed manner before the date on which preparations for publication under section 18 have been completed, as determined by the Registrar. (2) Where a notice of withdrawal is filed in accordance with subsection (1), the application is to be treated as withdrawn, and such withdrawal is irrevocable.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s15
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 15
title: Amendment of application
content:
15. —(1) Subject to subsection (4) and the rules mentioned in section 74(2A), the Registrar may, on the Registrar’s own initiative or upon request made to the Registrar in the prescribed manner by the applicant and payment of the prescribed fee, amend an application for registration of a design. [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (2) An application for registration of a design must not be amended if, as a result of the amendment, the scope of the application would be increased by the inclusion of matter that was not in substance disclosed in the application as filed. (3) The class or classes (under the classification mentioned in section 75(1)( c )) of articles, non‑physical products, or sets of articles and non‑physical products, to which a design is intended to be applied, as specified in an application for registration of the design, must not be amended if — ( a ) the application is derived under section 11(5) from an application filed under section 11(1) for the registration of 2 or more designs; and ( b ) the amendment would result in the articles, non‑physical products, or sets of articles and non‑physical products, to which any of those designs is intended to be applied, and the articles, non‑physical products, or sets of articles and non‑physical products, to which another of those designs is intended to be applied, falling within different classes. [29/2017] (4) The Registrar is not obliged to correct on his or her own initiative any error not due to the default of the Registrar. (5) Where the Registrar proposes to make any amendment on his or her own initiative, the Registrar must give notice of the proposal to every person who appears to the Registrar to be likely to be affected by the amendment, and must give the person an opportunity to be heard before making the amendment.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s16
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 16
title: Examination of application
content:
16. —(1) The Registrar must examine an application for registration of a design, being an application which has not been withdrawn, to determine whether it satisfies the formal requirements. (2) If the Registrar determines that an application fails to comply with the formal requirements, the Registrar must notify the applicant and give the applicant an opportunity to correct the non-compliance within such period as the Registrar determines. (3) If the non-compliance is not corrected within the period referred to in subsection (2), the application is to be treated as withdrawn, but the Registrar may, upon — ( a ) the filing by the applicant of a notice in the prescribed form requesting reinstatement of the application; ( b ) the payment of the prescribed fee; and ( c ) the compliance by the applicant with such conditions as the Registrar may impose, reinstate the application. (4) Upon reinstatement of an application, any right or means of redress lost by the applicant as a result of the withdrawal must be restored to the applicant.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s16A
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 16A
title: New application treated as filed on date of filing of earlier application
content:
16A. —(1) Where, on examining an application for registration of a design (called in this section the earlier application) under section 16(1), the Registrar determines that the earlier application fails to comply with either or both of the formal requirements of section 11(2)( c ) and (4)( a ) (where applicable), the Registrar may, when notifying the applicant of the non‑compliance under section 16(2), invite the applicant to correct the non‑compliance by filing one or more new applications under section 11. [29/2017] (2) A new application must not be filed under subsection (1) if — ( a ) a notice of withdrawal has been filed under section 14 in relation to the earlier application; ( b ) the earlier application has been treated as withdrawn under section 16(3); ( c ) the earlier application has been refused under section 17; or ( d ) the earlier application has been registered under section 18. [29/2017] (3) The Registrar must refuse any new application filed in contravention of subsection (2). [29/2017] (4) Each new application filed under subsection (1) is to be treated as filed on the date of filing of the earlier application, if all of the following requirements are satisfied: ( a ) the new application complies with the requirements of section 11; ( b ) the new application is made by the applicant, or the successor in title of the applicant, for the earlier application; ( c ) the new application does not include any matter that was not in substance disclosed in the earlier application. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s17
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 17
title: Refusal of application
content:
17. —(1) The Registrar may refuse an application for registration of a design if — ( a ) after an examination by the Registrar under section 16; and ( b ) after giving the applicant the opportunity to correct any non-compliance with the formal requirements, the Registrar determines that the application does not satisfy the formal requirements. (2) The Registrar may refuse an application for registration of a design if, on the face of the application, the design is not new or is not registrable for any other reason. (3) The Registrar must give notice of any refusal under this section to the applicant.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s18
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 18
title: Registration and publication
content:
18. Subject to sections 17 and 18A(3), if the Registrar determines that an application for registration of a design satisfies the formal requirements, the Registrar must as soon as practicable — ( a ) register the design by entering the prescribed particulars in the Register; ( b ) enter the name of the applicant, or the successor in title to the application, in the Register as the owner of the design; ( c ) issue a certificate of registration to the person who is the registered owner of the design at the time the design is registered; and ( d ) publish a notice of the registration and a representation of the design in the prescribed manner. [16/2012]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s18A
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 18A
title: Deferment of publication
content:
18A. —(1) An applicant may, when filing the applicant’s application for registration of a design, request that any publication under section 18 of the design be deferred for the prescribed period after the date of filing of that application. [16/2012] (2) A request under subsection (1) must be made in the prescribed manner and accompanied by the prescribed fee. [16/2012] (3) Despite section 18, the Registrar must defer the publication under that section of a design which is the subject of a request under subsection (1) for the prescribed period referred to in that subsection. [16/2012] (4) The Minister may make rules to provide for the deferment of the publication under section 18 of a registered design and for matters relating thereto. [16/2012]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s19
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 19
title: Only formality examination required
content:
19. The Registrar, in determining whether to accept an application for registration of a design, is not required to consider or have regard to — ( a ) the registrability of the design; ( b ) whether the applicant is entitled to any right of priority claimed in the application; or ( c ) whether the design is properly represented in the application.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s20
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 20
title: Date of registration
content:
20. A design when registered is to be registered as of the date on which the application for registration is filed, and that date is deemed for the purposes of this Act to be the date of its registration. Division 4 &#x2014; Duration of Registration


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s21
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 21
title: Initial period of registration and extension
content:
21. —(1) The initial period of registration of a design is 5 years from the date of registration of the design. (2) The period of registration of a design may be extended for a second and third period of 5 years, by applying to the Registrar for an extension, and paying the prescribed extension fee, not earlier than the prescribed period before the date of expiry of the current period of registration, and not later than the date of expiry of the current period of registration. [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (3) The Minister may make rules for the Registrar to inform the registered owner of a design, before the expiry of the current period of registration, of the imminent expiry of the registration and the manner in which it may be extended. (4) If the application and payment are not made before the expiry of the current period of registration, the registration of the design ceases to be in force upon the expiry of that period and must be removed from the Register. (5) If, during the prescribed period after the date of expiry of the current period of registration, an application for extension is made and the extension fee and any prescribed late fee are paid, the registration of the design is to be treated as if it had never ceased to be in force, and accordingly — ( a ) anything done under or in relation to any rights in the design by or with the consent of the owner during that period is to be treated as valid; ( b ) an act which would have constituted an infringement of the design if the registration had not ceased to be in force is to be treated as an infringement; and ( c ) an act which would have constituted use of the design for the services of the Government under Part 4 if the registration had not ceased to be in force is to be treated as such use. [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (6) The Minister may make rules to provide for the restoration of the registration of a design which has been removed from the Register, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed. [16/2012]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s22
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 22
title: Exceptions relating to artistic works, etc.
content:
22. —(1) Despite section 21, where it is shown that a registered design — ( a ) was at the time it was registered a corresponding design in relation to an artistic work in which copyright subsists under the Copyright Act 2021; and ( b ) by reason of a previous use of that work would not have been registrable but for section 9(1), the period of registration of the design expires when the copyright in that work expires, if that is earlier than the time at which it would otherwise expire, and it may not thereafter be extended. [22/2021] (2) Despite section 21, the period of registration of a design registered by virtue of section 10(1) does not extend beyond the end of the period of registration, and any extended period of registration, of the original registered design. Division 5 &#x2014; Proceedings for Determination of Rights
in Registered Designs


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s23
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 23
title: Determination of rights after registration
content:
23. —(1) After a design is registered, any person having or claiming an interest in the design may apply to the Court to determine — ( a ) who is the true owner of the design; ( b ) whether the design should have been registered in the name of the person in whose name it was registered; or ( c ) whether any right in the design should be transferred or granted to any other person, and the Court is to determine the question and may make such order as it considers appropriate to give effect to the determination. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), an order referred to in that subsection may contain one or more of the following directions: ( a ) that the name of the applicant be entered in the Register as the owner or one of the owners of the design (whether or not to the exclusion of any other person); ( b ) that the transaction by virtue of which that person has acquired any right in the design be registered; ( c ) that a licence for the use of the design be granted; ( d ) that the registered owner of the design or any person having any right in the design carry out such act as the Court considers appropriate to give effect to any directions in the order. (3) If any person to whom a direction referred to in subsection (2)( d ) was given fails to comply with the direction within 14 days after the date of the order, the Court may, on application made to it by any person in whose favour or on whose application the order was made, authorise the second-mentioned person to do that thing on behalf of the person to whom the direction was given. (4) If an application under this section is made after the end of the period of 2 years from the date of issue of the certificate of registration referred to in section 18( c ) in respect of the design in question, no order is to be made under subsection (1) transferring any right in the design from the registered owner to any other person on the ground that the registered owner was not entitled to be registered as the owner, unless it is shown that the registered owner knew at the time of the registration or of the transfer of the design to the registered owner (as the case may be) that the registered owner was not entitled to be registered as the owner. (5) The Court is not to make any order under subsection (1) unless notice of the application has first been given to — ( a ) the registered owner of the design; and ( b ) each person registered as having a right in the registered design who is not a party to the application.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s24
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 24
title: Effect of order made under section 23 on third party
content:
24. —(1) Where an order is made under section 23(1) that a registered design be transferred from any person or persons (called in this section the old owner or owners) to one or more persons (whether or not including an old owner), then, except in a case falling within subsection (2), any licences or other rights granted or created by the old owner or owners, subject to section 34 and to the provisions of the order, continue in force and are to be treated as granted by the person or persons to whom the design is ordered to be transferred (called in this section the new owner or owners). (2) Where an order is so made that a registered design must be transferred from the old owner or owners to one or more persons none of whom was an old owner (on the ground that the design was registered in the name of a person not entitled to be registered as an owner), any licences or other rights in the design will, subject to the provisions of the order and subsection (3), lapse on the registration of that person or those persons as the new owner or owners of the design. (3) Where an order referred to in subsection (2) is made and, before particulars of the reference resulting in the making of the order are entered in the Register, the old owner or owners or a licensee — ( a ) carried out in good faith an act which would have constituted an infringement of the design if particulars of the reference had been registered at the time the act was done; or ( b ) made in good faith effective and serious preparations to carry out such an act, the old owner or owners or the licensee are, on making a request to the new owner or owners within the prescribed period, entitled to be granted a licence (but not an exclusive licence) to continue to do the act or (as the case may be) to do the act. (4) A licence under subsection (3) must be for a reasonable period and subject to reasonable terms. (5) The new owner or owners of the registered design or any person claiming that the person is entitled to be granted a licence under subsection (3) may apply to the Court for a determination of whether — ( a ) that person is so entitled; or ( b ) the period or terms of any such licence granted are reasonable. (6) The Court is to make the determination under subsection (5) and may — ( a ) order the grant of a licence on such terms and for such period as it considers reasonable; or ( b ) vary the period or terms of the licence.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s25
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 25
title: Licences granted by order of Court
content:
25. Any order made under section 23(1) or 24(6) for the grant of a licence, without affecting any other method of enforcement, has effect as if it were a deed, executed by the registered owner of the registered design and all other necessary parties, granting a licence in accordance with the order. Division 6 &#x2014; Surrender and Revocation of Registration


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s26
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 26
title: Surrender of registration
content:
26. —(1) The registration of a design may be surrendered by the registered owner in respect of all or any of the articles, non-physical products, or sets of articles and non-physical products for which the design is registered. [29/2017] [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (2) The Minister may make rules — ( a ) as to the manner and effect of a surrender; and ( b ) for protecting the interest of other persons having a right in the design.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s27
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 27
title: Revocation of registration
content:
27. —(1) At any time after a design has been registered, any interested person may apply to the Registrar or the Court for the revocation of the registration of the design on the ground that the design was not, at the date of its registration, new, or on any other ground on which the Registrar could have refused to register the design; and the Registrar may make such order on the application as the Registrar thinks fit. (2) At any time after a design has been registered, any interested person may apply to the Registrar or the Court for the revocation of the registration on the ground that — ( a ) the design was at the time it was registered a corresponding design in relation to an artistic work in which copyright subsisted; and ( b ) the right in the registered design has expired in accordance with section 22(1), and the Registrar may make such order on the application as the Registrar thinks fit. (3) If proceedings concerning a design are pending in the Court, an application for the revocation of its registration must be made to the Court. (4) If an application for the revocation of the registration of a design is made to the Registrar, the Registrar may at any time refer the application to the Court. (5) An application to the Registrar for the revocation of the registration of a design must be made in the prescribed manner and be accompanied by the prescribed fee. (6) A revocation takes effect — ( a ) in the case of a revocation under subsection (1), from the date of registration; and ( b ) in the case of a revocation under subsection (2), from the date on which the right in the registered design expired. (7) The Minister may make rules to provide for revocation proceedings before the Registrar and for matters relating thereto. Division 7 &#x2014; Miscellaneous


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s28
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 28
title: Right to information
content:
28. —(1) After the registration of a design and upon the filing of a written request by any person in the prescribed manner and the payment of the prescribed fee, the Registrar must — ( a ) give the person making the request such information; and ( b ) permit that person to inspect such documents, relating to the application for registration of the design (including any representation or sample of the design) as may be specified in the request, subject, however, to such conditions as may be prescribed. (2) Rules may be made empowering the Registrar to refuse any request in respect of such information or documents as may be prescribed. (3) Until notice of registration of a design is published under section 18, any information or documents constituting or relating to the application for registration must not, without the consent of the owner or the applicant (as the case may be), be published or communicated to any person by the Registrar. (4) Subsection (3) does not prevent the Registrar from publishing or communicating to others any prescribed information relating to an application for registration of a design. (5) Where a person is notified that an application for registration of a design has been made and that the applicant will, if the design is registered, bring proceedings against that person in the event of that person doing an act specified in the notification, that person may make a request under subsection (1). (6) The Registrar may grant the request under subsection (1) without the consent of the applicant, even though the design has not been registered.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s29
chapter: PART 2 - REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS
section: 29
title: Provisions for secrecy of certain designs
content:
29. —(1) Where an application for registration of a design has been made and it appears to the Registrar that the design is one of a class notified to the Registrar by the Minister as relevant for defence purposes, the Registrar must give directions for prohibiting or restricting — ( a ) the publication of information with respect to the design; or ( b ) the communication of such information to any person or class of persons specified in the directions. (2) Rules may be made for securing that where such directions are given — ( a ) the representation of the design; and ( b ) any evidence filed in support of the application for registration, must not be open to public inspection in the Registry during the continuance in force of the directions. (3) Any person who fails to comply with a direction of the Registrar shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both. (4) Where such directions are in force, the application — ( a ) must be held in abeyance after the formal requirements referred to in section 16 have been satisfied; and ( b ) despite section 18, must not proceed to be processed in accordance with that section until the directions are revoked under subsection (5)( d ). (5) Where the Registrar gives such directions, the Registrar must give notice of the application and of the directions to the Minister, and thereupon the following provisions have effect: ( a ) the Minister must consider whether the publication of the design would be prejudicial to the defence of Singapore; ( b ) the Minister may at any time inspect the representation of the design, or any evidence referred to in subsection (2)( b ); ( c ) if, upon the consideration of the design at any time, it appears to the Minister that the publication of the design would not, or would no longer, be prejudicial to the defence of Singapore, notice may be given to the Registrar to that effect; ( d ) on the receipt of such notice, the Registrar must revoke the directions and may, subject to such conditions (if any) as the Registrar thinks fit, extend the time for doing anything required or authorised to be done by or under this Act in connection with the application for registration, whether or not that time has previously expired. (6) Where — ( a ) directions given under this section in relation to an application for registration of a design are revoked; ( b ) the design is registered; and ( c ) it appears to the Minister that the applicant has suffered hardship while the directions were in force, the Minister may make such payment (if any) by way of compensation to the applicant as appears to the Minister to be reasonable having regard to all relevant circumstances. (7) Nothing in this section prevents the disclosure of information concerning a design to a Government department or authority for the purpose of obtaining advice as to whether the directions under this section with respect to an application for registration of that design should be made, amended or revoked.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s30
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 30
title: Rights conferred by registration
content:
30. —(1) The registration of a design under this Act gives to the registered owner the following exclusive rights: ( a ) to make in Singapore, or import into Singapore, for sale or hire, or for use for the purpose of trade or business — (i) any article in respect of which the design is registered and to which that design, or a design not substantially different from that design, has been applied; or (ii) any device for projecting a non‑physical product (being a non‑physical product in respect of which the design is registered and to which that design, or a design not substantially different from that design, has been applied); ( b ) to sell, hire, or offer or expose for sale or hire, in Singapore — (i) any article or non‑physical product in respect of which the design is registered and to which that design, or a design not substantially different from that design, has been applied; or (ii) any device for projecting a non‑physical product mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i). [29/2017] (2) For the purposes of this Act, the right in a registered design is infringed by any person who, without the consent of the registered owner and while the registration is in force — ( a ) does anything which by virtue of subsection (1) is the exclusive right of the registered owner; ( b ) makes anything for enabling any article referred to in subsection (1) to be made in Singapore or elsewhere; ( c ) does anything in relation to a kit that would constitute an infringement of the design if it had been done in relation to the assembled article; or ( d ) makes anything for enabling a kit to be made or assembled, in Singapore or elsewhere, if the assembled article would be an article referred to in subsection (1). (3) In subsection (2), “kit” means a complete or substantially complete set of components intended to be assembled into an article. (4) In the application of subsection (2) to a registered design of which there is more than one registered owner, the reference to the registered owner is to be construed — ( a ) in relation to any act, as a reference to the registered owner or those registered owners who is or are entitled to do that act by virtue of section 33 or any agreement; and ( b ) in relation to any consent, as a reference to the registered owner or those registered owners who is or are the proper person or persons to give the consent by virtue of section 33 or any agreement. (5) For the purposes of this Act, the right in a registered design is not infringed by — ( a ) the doing of any act for a private non-commercial purpose; or ( b ) the doing of any act for the purpose of evaluation, analysis, research or teaching. (6) The right in a registered design is not infringed by the reproduction of a feature of the design which, by virtue of paragraph ( b ) or ( c ) of the definition of “design” in section 2(1), is left out of account in determining whether the design is registrable. [29/2017] (7) The right in a registered design is not infringed by — ( a ) the import, sale, hire, or offer or exposure for sale or hire of — (i) any article to which the design has been applied, if the article has been placed on the market, whether in Singapore or elsewhere, by or with the consent (conditional or otherwise) of the registered owner; or (ii) any device for projecting a non‑physical product (being a non‑physical product to which the design has been applied), if the device has been placed on the market, whether in Singapore or elsewhere, by or with the consent (conditional or otherwise) of the registered owner; or ( b ) the sale, hire, or offer or exposure for sale or hire of any non‑physical product to which the design has been applied, if the non‑physical product has been placed on the market, whether in Singapore or elsewhere, by or with the consent (conditional or otherwise) of the registered owner. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s30A
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 30A
title: Registration subject to disclaimer
content:
30A. —(1) An applicant for registration of a design, or the registered owner of a registered design, may disclaim any right in relation to a specified feature of the design. (2) Where the registration of a design is subject to a disclaimer, the rights given by section 30 are restricted accordingly. (2A) Where an applicant for registration of a design, or the registered owner of a registered design, disclaimed any right in relation to a specified feature of the design — ( a ) at any time before 26 May 2022; and ( b ) in any application, request or other document that otherwise complied with the requirements of this Act and the rules made under this Act, then — ( c ) subsection (1) applies in relation to that disclaimer as if that subsection were in force on the date of the making of the disclaimer; and ( d ) subsection (2) applies in relation to the registration of that design and (if the disclaimer was to apply beginning on a date before 26 May 2022) is taken to have always applied in relation to the registration beginning on the date the disclaimer was to begin to apply. [Act 31 of 2022 wef 01/11/2022] (2B) However, nothing in subsection (2A) applies to, or may be construed to affect — ( a ) any decision or judgment issued by any court given before 12 September 2022 in relation to that design; or ( b ) any proceedings before any court commenced before 12 September 2022 in relation to that design. [Act 31 of 2022 wef 01/11/2022] (3) The Minister may make rules under section 75 as to the publication and entry in the Register of a disclaimer. [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] [Act 31 of 2022 wef 01/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s31
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 31
title: Rights of third parties to continue use of registered designs
content:
31. —(1) A person who, before the date of registration of a design — ( a ) does in good faith in Singapore an act which would have constituted an infringement of the design if the registration had been in force at the time the act is done; or ( b ) makes in good faith effective and serious preparations to do such an act in Singapore, has the right to continue to do the act or (as the case may be) to do the act. (2) If the act was done, or the preparations were made, in the course of a business, the person entitled to the right conferred by subsection (1) may — ( a ) authorise the doing of that act by any of the person’s partners for the time being in that business; and ( b ) assign that right, or transmit it on death (or in the case of a body corporate on its dissolution), to any person who acquires that part of the business in the course of which the act was done or the preparations were made. (3) The right conferred by subsection (2) does not include a right to grant a licence to any person to do an act referred to in subsection (1). (4) Where an article, a non‑physical product, or a device for projecting a non‑physical product, is disposed of to another person in exercise of a right conferred by subsection (1), that other person, and any person claiming through that other person, may deal with the article, non‑physical product or device in the same way as if the article, non‑physical product or device had been disposed of by the owner of the design concerned. [29/2017] Division 2 &#x2014; Registered Design as
Object of Property


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s32
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 32
title: Nature of registered design
content:
32. —(1) A registered design or any right in it is personal property and may be assigned or transmitted in the same way as other personal property. (2) A registered design or any right in it may be vested by an assent of personal representatives. (3) A licence may be granted for the use of a registered design and, to the extent that the licence so provides, a sub-licence may be granted under any such licence. (4) Any such licence or sub-licence — ( a ) may be assigned or transmitted in the same way as personal property; and ( b ) may be vested by an assent of personal representatives. (5) Subsections (1) to (4) have effect subject to this Act. (6) An assignment of a design or a right therein, or an assent relating to a registered design or a right therein, is not effective unless it is in writing and signed by or on behalf of the assignor or (as the case may be) a personal representative. (7) Subsection (6) may be satisfied in a case where the assignor or personal representative is a body corporate by the affixing of its seal. (8) Subsections (6) and (7) apply to an assignment by way of security as they apply to any other assignment. (9) A registered design or any right in it may be the subject of a charge in the same way as other personal or movable property. [16/2012] (10) An assignment of a registered design or any right in it, or an exclusive licence in relation to a registered design, may confer on the assignee or licensee the right of the assignor or licensor to bring proceedings under section 23 or 36.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s33
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 33
title: Co-ownership of registered design
content:
33. —(1) Subject to any agreement to the contrary, where there is more than one registered owner of a registered design, each of them is entitled to an equal undivided share in the rights in the design. (2) Subject to this section and to any agreement to the contrary, where there is more than one registered owner of a registered design, each of them is entitled, by himself, herself or itself or the registered owner’s agent, to do in relation to the design and for the registered owner’s own benefit and without the consent of, or the need to account to, the other or others, an act which would otherwise amount to an infringement of the design. (3) Subject to any agreement to the contrary, where there is more than one registered owner of a registered design, a registered owner must not, without the consent of each of the others — ( a ) grant a licence for the use of the design; ( b ) assign any interest in the design; or ( c ) charge his, her or its share in the rights in the design. [16/2012] (4) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) affects the mutual rights or obligations of trustees or personal representatives of a deceased person, or their rights or obligations as such.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s34
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 34
title: Registration of transactions affecting registered design
content:
34. —(1) On application being made to the Registrar by — ( a ) a person claiming to be entitled to any interest in a registered design by virtue of a registrable transaction; or ( b ) any other person claiming to be affected by such a transaction, the prescribed particulars of the transaction must be entered in the Register. (2) The following are registrable transactions under subsection (1): ( a ) an assignment of a registered design or any right in it; ( b ) the grant of a licence or sub-licence for the use of a registered design; ( c ) the grant of any security interest (whether fixed or floating) over a registered design or any right in it; ( d ) the making by personal representatives of an assent in relation to a registered design or any right in it; ( e ) an order of the Court or other competent authority transferring a registered design or any right in it. (3) Until an application has been made for registration of the prescribed particulars of a registrable transaction, the transaction is ineffective as against a person acquiring a conflicting interest in the registered design in ignorance of it. (4) Despite any provision of this Act, a person who becomes the registered owner or licensee of a registered design by virtue of a registrable transaction is not entitled to — ( a ) damages or account of profits in respect of any infringement of the registered design occurring after the date of the transaction and before the date of application for registration of the prescribed particulars of the transaction; or ( b ) compensation under section 46, pursuant to terms as agreed between the Government and the registered owner, or as determined by the court, in respect of the use of the design for the services of the Government occurring after the date of the transaction and before the date of application for registration of the prescribed particulars of the transaction. (5) Provision may be made by rules as to the amendment, alteration or removal from the Register of any particulars in the Register relating to any registrable transaction. [16/2012]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s35
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 35
title: Rights in application for registration
content:
35. —(1) Sections 32, 33 and 34 apply, with the necessary modifications, in relation to an application for registration of a design as they apply in relation to a registered design. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the reference in section 34 to the making of an application for registration of particulars is to be construed as a reference to the giving of a written notice to the Registrar in the prescribed manner of particulars of the relevant transaction, instrument or event relating to the application for registration. Division 3 &#x2014; Infringement Proceedings


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s36
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 36
title: Infringement proceedings
content:
36. —(1) An infringement of a registered design is actionable by the registered owner. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the relief the Court may grant in infringement proceedings includes — ( a ) an injunction (subject to such terms (if any) as the Court thinks fit); and ( b ) either damages or an account of profits. (3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, no proceedings may be taken for an infringement of a registered design committed before the date on which the certificate of registration of the design is issued under section 18.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s37
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 37
title: Infringement proceedings by co-owner
content:
37. —(1) Subject to any agreement to the contrary, where there is more than one registered owner of a registered design, each of them is entitled to bring proceedings for an infringement of the design. (2) In proceedings taken by a registered owner by virtue of this section, the other registered owner or owners must be made a party or parties to the proceedings, but any other registered owner if made a defendant is not liable for any costs or expenses unless that registered owner takes part in the proceedings.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s38
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 38
title: Infringement proceedings by exclusive licensee
content:
38. —(1) The holder of an exclusive licence under a registered design has the same right as the registered owner to bring proceedings for an infringement of the design committed after the date of the grant of the licence, and references to the registered owner in the provisions of this Act relating to infringement are to be construed accordingly. (2) In awarding damages in any infringement proceedings taken by an exclusive licensee, the Court may take into consideration only the losses suffered or likely to be suffered by the exclusive licensee as a result of the infringement. (3) In ordering an account of profits in any infringement proceedings taken by an exclusive licensee, the Court may take into consideration only the profits derived from the infringement which are attributable to the infringement of the exclusive licensee’s rights. (4) In any infringement proceedings taken by an exclusive licensee, the registered owner need not be made a party to the proceedings, but if the registered owner is made a defendant the registered owner is not liable for any costs or expenses unless the registered owner takes part in the proceedings.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s39
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 39
title: General restriction on recovery of damages or profits
content:
39. —(1) In infringement proceedings, the Court must not award damages, nor make an order for an account of profits, against a defendant who proves that at the date of the infringement the defendant was not aware, and had no reasonable grounds for believing, that the design in question was registered. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person is not to be taken to have been aware, or to have had reasonable grounds for believing, that the design was registered by reason only of the application to an article, a non‑physical product, or a device for projecting a non‑physical product, or to any printed matter accompanying an article, a non‑physical product, or a device for projecting a non‑physical product, of the word “registered”, or any word or words or abbreviation expressing or implying that the design has been registered, unless the registration number of the design accompanied the word or words or abbreviation. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s40
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 40
title: Order for delivery up
content:
40. —(1) Where the defendant to proceedings for infringement of a registered design has in the defendant’s possession — ( a ) any infringing article in relation to that design; ( b ) anything predominantly used for the making of infringing articles, which the defendant knows or has reason to believe has been or is to be used to make infringing articles; or ( c ) any infringing device in relation to that design, the Court may, in addition to any relief granted under section 36, order the article, thing or infringing device to be delivered to the claimant. [29/2017] [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (2) An order is not to be made under this section unless the Court also makes, or it appears to the Court that there are grounds for making, an order under section 41. (3) A person to whom any article, thing or infringing device is delivered up pursuant to an order made under this section must, if an order under section 41 is not made, retain them pending the making of an order, or the decision not to make an order, under that section. [29/2017] (4) In this section and section 41, an article is an “infringing article” in relation to a registered design if the design or a design not substantially different from it has been applied to the article and — ( a ) the application of the design to the article was an infringement of the design; ( b ) the article is imported into Singapore in such a way as to infringe the design; or ( c ) the article is sold, let for hire, or offered or exposed for sale or hire in Singapore in such a way as to infringe the design. (5) In this section and section 41, an infringing device in relation to a registered design is a device for projecting a non‑physical product where — ( a ) the design, or a design not substantially different from that design, has been applied to the non‑physical product; and ( b ) either or both of the following apply: (i) the device is made in Singapore or imported into Singapore in such a way as to infringe the design; (ii) the device is sold, let for hire, or offered or exposed for sale or hire in Singapore in such a way as to infringe the design. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s41
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 41
title: Order for disposal
content:
41. —(1) Where any infringing article or thing, or any infringing device, has been delivered up pursuant to an order made under section 40, an application may be made to the Court — ( a ) for an order that it be destroyed or forfeited to such person as the Court thinks fit; or ( b ) for a decision that no such order should be made. [29/2017] (2) In deciding what order (if any) should be made, the Court must have regard to — ( a ) whether other remedies available in proceedings for infringement would be adequate to compensate the claimant and protect the claimant’s interest; and [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] [Act 31 of 2022 wef 01/11/2022] ( b ) the need to ensure that no infringing article or thing, and no infringing device, is disposed of in a manner that would adversely affect the claimant. [29/2017] [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (3) The Court is to issue directions as to service of notice on persons having an interest in the article, thing or infringing device. [29/2017] (4) Any person having an interest in the article, thing or infringing device is entitled — ( a ) to appear in proceedings for an order under this section, whether or not that person is served with notice; and ( b ) to appeal against any order made, whether or not that person appears in the proceedings. [29/2017] (5) An order made under this section does not take effect until the end of the period within which notice of an appeal may be given or, if before the end of that period notice of appeal is duly given, until the final determination or abandonment of the proceedings on appeal. (6) Where there is more than one person interested in the article, thing or infringing device, the Court may — ( a ) direct that the article, thing or infringing device be sold, or otherwise dealt with, and the proceeds divided; and ( b ) make any other order as the Court thinks just. [29/2017] (7) If the Court decides that no order should be made under this section, the person in whose possession the article, thing or infringing device was before being delivered up is entitled to its return. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s42
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 42
title: Declaration as to non-infringement
content:
42. A declaration that an act does not, or a proposed act would not, constitute an infringement of a registered design may be made by the Court in any proceedings between the person doing or proposing to do the act and the registered owner, even though no assertion to the contrary has been made by the registered owner, if it is shown that — ( a ) that person has applied in writing to the registered owner for a written acknowledgment to the effect of the declaration claimed, and has furnished the registered owner with full particulars in writing of the act in question; and ( b ) the registered owner has refused or failed to give any such acknowledgment.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s43
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 43
title: Certificate of contested validity of registration
content:
43. —(1) If in any proceedings before the Registrar or the Court the validity of the registration of a design is contested, and the Registrar or the Court finds that the registration of the design is valid, the Registrar or the Court may certify the finding and the fact that the validity of the registration was so contested. [23/2019] (2) Where a certificate is given under subsection (1) and in subsequent proceedings for infringement of the design or for revocation of the registration of the design before the Registrar or the Court — ( a ) the validity of the registration is again questioned; and ( b ) the registered owner obtains a final order or judgment in the registered owner’s favour relying on the validity of the registration as found in the earlier proceedings, the registered owner is entitled to the registered owner’s costs as between solicitor and client unless the Registrar or the Court directs otherwise. [23/2019] (3) Subsection (2) does not extend to the costs of an appeal in any such proceedings.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s44
chapter: PART 3 - RIGHTS IN REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 44
title: Remedy for groundless threats of infringement proceedings
content:
44. —(1) Where a person (whether or not entitled to or interested in a registered design or an application for registration of a design) threatens any other person with proceedings for infringement of a registered design, any person aggrieved thereby may bring proceedings against the person making the threats for relief under this section. (2) The relief which may be applied for are — ( a ) a declaration that the threats are unjustifiable; ( b ) an injunction against the continuance of the threats; and ( c ) damages in respect of any loss the person has sustained by the threats, and the claimant is entitled to such relief unless — ( d ) the defendant proves that the acts in respect of which the proceedings were threatened constitute, or if done would constitute, an infringement of the design; and ( e ) the claimant fails to show that the registration of the design concerned is invalid. [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (3) Proceedings may not be brought under this section as regards a threat to bring proceedings for an infringement alleged to consist of the making or importing of anything. (4) For the purposes of this section, a notification that a design is registered does not of itself constitute a threat of proceedings within the meaning of this section. (5) Nothing in this section renders an advocate and solicitor liable to an action under this section in respect of an act done by him or her in his or her professional capacity on behalf of a client.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s45
chapter: PART 4 - GOVERNMENT USE OF REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 45
title: Government use of registered designs
content:
45. —(1) Despite any of the provisions of this Act, the Government and any person authorised in writing by the Government may use any registered design for the services of the Government in accordance with section 46. (2) The authority of the Government under subsection (1) may be — ( a ) given either before or after the registration of the design; ( b ) given either before or after the acts in respect of which the authority is given are done; and ( c ) given to any person whether or not the person is authorised, directly or indirectly, by the registered owner to use the design. (3) Without limiting subsection (1), any use of the design for — ( a ) the supply to the government of any country or territory outside Singapore, pursuant to any agreement or arrangement between the Government and the government of that country, of articles, non‑physical products, or devices for projecting non‑physical products, required — (i) for the defence of that country; or (ii) for the defence of any other country whose government is party to any agreement or arrangement with the Government in respect of defence matters; or ( b ) the supply to the United Nations, or to the government of any country belonging to that organisation, of articles, non‑physical products, or devices for projecting non‑physical products, required for any armed forces operating pursuant to a resolution of that organisation or any organ of that organisation, is deemed to be a use of the design for the services of the Government; and the power of the Government or a person authorised by the Government to use the design includes power — ( c ) to sell the articles, non‑physical products, or devices for projecting non‑physical products, to the government or to that organisation pursuant to the agreement or arrangement; and ( d ) to sell to any person any articles, non‑physical products, or devices for projecting non‑physical products, originally intended for the services of the Government which are no longer required for the purpose for which they were made. [29/2017] (4) Without limiting subsection (1), any use of a design for any purpose which appears to the Government necessary or expedient — ( a ) to avoid prejudice to the security or defence of Singapore; ( b ) to assist in the exercise of powers and the implementation of civil defence measures during a state of emergency or state of civil defence emergency under the Civil Defence Act 1986; or ( c ) for public non-commercial use, is deemed to be a use of the design for the services of the Government. [29/2017] (5) The purchaser of any articles, non‑physical products, or devices for projecting non‑physical products, sold in the exercise of powers conferred by subsection (1), and any person claiming through the purchaser, has the power to deal with the articles, non‑physical products, or devices for projecting non‑physical products, as if the rights in the registered design were held on behalf of the Government. [29/2017] (6) Despite any provision in any other written law, the reproduction or publication of any model or document in connection with any use of a design made by virtue of subsection (1) is deemed not to constitute an infringement of any copyright subsisting in the document by virtue of the Copyright Act 2021 or any right subsisting in a layout-design by virtue of the Layout‑Designs of Integrated Circuits Act 1999. [22/2021]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s46
chapter: PART 4 - GOVERNMENT USE OF REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 46
title: Terms of Government use
content:
46. —(1) If and so far as the design has, before the date of its registration, been applied by or on behalf of the Government otherwise than in consequence of the communication of the design, directly or indirectly, by the registered owner or any person from whom the registered owner derives title, any use of the design by virtue of section 45 may be made free of any royalty or other payment to the registered owner. (2) If and so far as the design has not been so applied, any use of the design made by virtue of section 45 at any time after the date of its registration, or in consequence of any communication referred to in subsection (1), must be made on such terms — ( a ) as may be agreed upon, either before or after the use, between the Government and the registered owner; or ( b ) in default of such agreement, as may be determined by the Court on a reference under section 48. (3) Where a design has been made use of under this section, the Government, unless it appears to the Government that it would be contrary to the public interest to do so, must inform the registered owner as soon as possible of the fact and furnish the registered owner with such information as to the use made of the design as the registered owner from time to time reasonably requires.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s47
chapter: PART 4 - GOVERNMENT USE OF REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 47
title: Provisions of licence, etc., to be ineffective
content:
47. In relation to any use of a registered design, or a design in respect of which an application for registration is pending, made for the services of the Government — ( a ) by the Government or a person authorised by the Government under section 45; or ( b ) by the registered owner or applicant for registration to the order of the Government, the provisions of any licence, assignment or agreement made, whether before, on or after 13 November 2000, between — ( c ) the registered owner or applicant for registration or any person who derives title from the registered owner or applicant or from whom the registered owner or applicant derives title; and ( d ) a person other than the Government, shall be of no effect so far as those provisions — ( e ) restrict or regulate the use of the design or any model, document or information relating to it; or ( f ) provide for the making of payments in respect of, or calculated by reference to, such use.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s48
chapter: PART 4 - GOVERNMENT USE OF REGISTERED DESIGNS
section: 48
title: References of disputes to Court
content:
48. —(1) Any dispute as to — ( a ) the exercise by the Government, or a person authorised by the Government, of the powers conferred by section 45; ( b ) the terms for the use of a design for the services of the Government; or ( c ) the right of any person to receive any part of a payment pursuant to terms as agreed between the Government and the registered owner under section 46(2), may be referred to the Court by either party to the dispute. (2) In any proceedings under this section to which the Government is a party, the Government may — ( a ) if the registered owner is a party to the proceedings, apply for revocation of the registration of the design upon any ground upon which the registration may be revoked under this Act; or ( b ) in any case, put in issue the validity of the registration of the design without applying for its revocation. (3) In determining under this section any dispute between the Government and any person as to the terms for the use of a design for the services of the Government, the Court is to have regard to any benefit or compensation which that person or any person from whom that person derives title may have received, or may be entitled to receive, directly or indirectly, from the Government in respect of the design. (4) One of 2 or more registered owners of a registered design may, without the concurrence of the others, refer a dispute to the Court under this section, but must not do so unless the others are made parties to the proceedings; but any of the others who has been made a defendant is not liable for any costs or expenses unless the defendant takes part in the proceedings.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s49
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 49
title: Registrar of Designs and other officers
content:
49. —(1) There is to be a Registrar of Designs who has control of the Registry of Designs. (2) There are to be one or more Deputy Registrars of Designs who, subject to the control of the Registrar, have all the powers and functions of the Registrar under this Act, other than the powers of the Registrar under section 50. (3) There are to be one or more Assistant Registrars of Designs. (4) The Registrar and all the other officers under this section are to be appointed by the Minister.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s50
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 50
title: Delegation by Registrar
content:
50. —(1) The Registrar may, in relation to a particular matter or class of matters, by writing under the Registrar’s hand, delegate all or any of the Registrar’s powers or functions under this Act (except this power of delegation) to an Assistant Registrar of Designs, any public officer, or any person with the relevant qualifications for or experience in the matter or class of matters, so that the delegated powers and functions may be exercised by the delegate with respect to the matter or class of matters specified in the instrument of delegation. [4/2014] (2) A delegation under this section is revocable at will and no delegation prevents the exercise of a power or function by the Registrar or by any Deputy Registrar of Designs. (3) A person with the relevant qualifications or experience referred to in subsection (1) is, when exercising the delegated powers and functions, deemed to be a public servant for the purposes of the Penal Code 1871. [4/2014]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s52
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 52
title: Seal of Registry
content:
52. There is to be a seal of the Registry and impressions of the seal are to be judicially noticed. Division 2 &#x2014; Register


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s53
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 53
title: Register of Designs
content:
53. —(1) The Registrar must maintain a register to be known as the Register of Designs. (2) There must be entered in the Register in accordance with this Act — ( a ) particulars of registered designs, including the dates of registration; ( b ) the names of registered owners; ( c ) particulars of transactions affecting rights in registered designs and applications for registration of designs; and ( d ) such other matters as the Registrar may think fit. (3) No notice of any implied or constructive trust may be entered in the Register, and the Registrar is not affected by any such notice. [4/2014] (4) A notice of an express trust or of the beneficiary of an express trust, or both, may be entered in the Register; but — ( a ) the Registrar is not affected by any such notice in the Register; and ( b ) to avoid doubt, a failure to enter such notice in the Register does not affect any rights or duties under the trust. [4/2014] (5) The Register may be kept in whole or in part using a computer. (6) Any record of a particular or other matter made by using a computer for the purpose of keeping the Register is taken to be an entry in the Register.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s54
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 54
title: Rectification of Register
content:
54. —(1) The Court may, on the application of any person aggrieved, order the Register to be rectified by the making, or the variation or deletion, of any entry therein. (2) In proceedings under this section, the Court may determine any question which may be necessary or expedient to decide in connection with the rectification of the Register. (3) The Registrar must, on receipt of the notice of an order of the Court to rectify the Register, rectify the Register accordingly. (4) A rectification of the Register under this section has effect as follows: ( a ) an entry made has effect from the date on which it should have been made; ( b ) an entry varied has effect as if it had originally been made in its varied form; ( c ) an entry deleted is deemed never to have had effect, unless, in any case, the Court directs otherwise.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s55
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 55
title: Inspection of and extract from Register
content:
55. —(1) The Register must be available at the Registry for inspection by any person during the hours when the Registry is open for business. [16/2012] (2) If the Register, or any part of the Register, is kept by using a computer, subsection (1) is satisfied if a person who wants to inspect the Register or that part of the Register is given access to a computer terminal from which the person can read on a screen, or obtain a printed copy of, the particulars or other matters recorded in the Register or that part of the Register. (3) Any person who applies for a certified copy of an entry in the Register or a certified extract from the Register is entitled to obtain such copy or extract on payment of the prescribed fee. (4) In relation to any portion of the Register kept otherwise than in documentary form, the right to a copy or an extract conferred by subsection (3) is a right to a copy or an extract in a form in which it can be taken away. (5) In this section, “certified copy” and “certified extract” mean a copy and an extract certified by the Registrar. [16/2012] Division 3 &#x2014; Powers of Registrar


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s56
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 56
title: Costs in proceedings before Registrar
content:
56. —(1) The Registrar may, in proceedings before the Registrar under this Act, by order award to any party such costs as the Registrar may consider reasonable and direct how and by what parties they are to be paid. (2) The rules may provide for the assessment of the costs, or any part thereof, by the Registrar. [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (3) A party desirous to obtain costs or to have the costs assessed must apply to the Registrar in accordance with the rules. [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (4) If a party is ordered to pay the costs of another party, the costs may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due by the first party to the other party.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s57
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 57
title: Correction of Register
content:
57. —(1) The Registrar may, in accordance with the provisions of this section and the rules mentioned in section 74(2A), correct any clerical error in the Register. [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (2) A correction may be made under this section either upon a request in writing made by any person interested, or on the Registrar’s own initiative. (3) A request referred to in subsection (2) must be made in the prescribed form and be accompanied by the prescribed fee. (4) The Registrar is not obliged to correct on his or her own initiative any error not due to the default of the Registrar. (5) Where the Registrar proposes to make any correction on his or her own initiative, the Registrar must give notice of the proposal to every person who appears to the Registrar to be likely to be affected by the correction, and must give the person an opportunity to be heard before making the correction.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s58
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 58
title: Powers of Registrar
content:
58. The Registrar may, for the purposes of this Act — ( a ) summon witnesses; ( b ) receive evidence on oath, whether orally or otherwise; and ( c ) require the production of documents, articles or devices for projecting non‑physical products. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s59
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 59
title: Disobedience to summons an offence
content:
59. —(1) A person who has been summoned to appear as a witness before the Registrar must not, without lawful excuse, fail to appear in obedience to the summons. (2) A person who has been required by the Registrar to produce a document, an article or a device for projecting a non‑physical product must not, without lawful excuse, fail to produce the document, article or device. [29/2017] (3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s60
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 60
title: Refusal to give evidence an offence
content:
60. —(1) A person who appears before the Registrar must not, without lawful excuse, refuse to be sworn or to make an affirmation, or to produce documents, articles or devices for projecting non‑physical products, or to answer questions, which the person is required by the Registrar to produce or answer. [29/2017] (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s61
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 61
title: Immunity of Office and Registrar as regards official acts
content:
61. Neither the Office nor the Registrar nor any person acting under its, his or her authority — ( a ) is to be taken to warrant the validity of the registration of any design registered under this Act or under any treaty, convention, arrangement or engagement to which Singapore is a party; or ( b ) is subject to any liability by reason of, or in connection with, any examination required or authorised by this Act, or any such treaty, convention, arrangement or engagement, or any report or other proceedings consequent on such examination.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s62
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 62
title: Appeal from decision or order of Registrar
content:
62. —(1) Except as provided by rules made under this Act, an appeal lies to the Court from any decision or order of the Registrar under this Act. (2) Any appeal under this Act which concerns an application for registration of a design must be heard in private unless the Court otherwise directs. [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (3) An appeal does not lie to the appellate court from a decision of the Court on appeal from a decision or order of the Registrar under this Act unless permission to appeal is given by the appellate court. [23/2019; 40/2019] [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (4) In this section — “appellate court” means the court to which an appeal under subsection (3) is to be made under section 29C of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1969; “decision” includes any act of the Registrar done in the exercise of a discretion vested in the Registrar by or under this Act. [40/2019]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s63
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 63
title: Exercise of discretionary power
content:
63. Where any discretionary power is given to the Registrar by this Act, the Registrar must not exercise the power without giving to any person who may be adversely affected by the Registrar’s decision an opportunity to be heard. Division 4 &#x2014; Hours of Business of Registry


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s64
chapter: PART 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 64
title: Hours of business and excluded days
content:
64. —(1) The Registrar may issue practice directions to specify — ( a ) the hours of business of the Registry; and ( b ) the days which are to be treated as excluded days. (2) The Minister may prescribe the effect of doing any business under this Act — ( a ) on any day after the hours of business of the Registry; or ( b ) on any day which is an excluded day. (3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) — ( a ) different hours of business may be specified for different classes of business; ( b ) different excluded days may be specified for different classes of business; and ( c ) different effects of doing business — (i) outside the hours of business of the Registry; or (ii) on an excluded day, may be prescribed for different classes of business.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s64A
chapter: PART 5A - THE GENEVA ACT OF THE HAGUE AGREEMENT, ETC.
section: 64A
title: Power to make provision giving effect to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, etc.
content:
64A. —(1) The Minister may make rules to give effect in Singapore to the provisions of the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement or of any other treaty, convention, arrangement or engagement relating to designs to which Singapore is a party. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), rules may, in particular, be made to provide for — ( a ) the procedures to be followed for the filing of applications for international registrations through the Registry; ( b ) the procedures to be followed where an application for international registration fails or the international registration ceases to be in force; ( c ) the effects of a successful application for international registration designating Singapore as a country in which the design is to be registered; ( d ) the communication of information to the International Bureau; and ( e ) the payment of fees (including transmittal fees) and amounts prescribed in respect of applications for international registrations, corrections and renewals. (3) Provision may also be made in the rules to apply, in relation to an international design (Singapore), the provisions of section 44 and Parts 4 and 6. (4) In this section — “Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement” means the Act, signed at Geneva on 2 July 1999, of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs; “international design (Singapore)” means — ( a ) a design which is entitled to protection in Singapore under the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement; or ( b ) a design prescribed by the Minister as an international design (Singapore); “international registration” means the international registration of an industrial design effected according to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement. [16/2012]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s65
chapter: PART 6 - OFFENCES
section: 65
title: Falsification of Register, etc.
content:
65. Any person who — ( a ) makes, or causes to be made, a false entry in the Register; ( b ) makes, or causes to be made, any thing false purporting to be a copy of an entry in the Register; or ( c ) produces or tenders or causes to be produced or tendered in evidence any thing referred to in paragraph ( b ), knowing or having reason to believe the entry or thing (as the case may be) is false shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s66
chapter: PART 6 - OFFENCES
section: 66
title: False representation that design is registered
content:
66. —(1) Any person who falsely represents that a design applied to any article, non‑physical product or set of articles and non‑physical products disposed of by the person for value is registered in respect of that article, non‑physical product or set of articles and non‑physical products shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. [29/2017] [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) — ( a ) a person is deemed to represent that a design applied to any article is registered in respect of that article, if there is stamped, engraved or impressed on or otherwise applied to the article anything expressing or implying that the design applied to the article has been registered in respect of that article; [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] ( b ) a person is deemed to represent that a design applied to any non‑physical product is registered in respect of that non‑physical product, if — (i) there is applied to the non‑physical product anything expressing or implying that the design applied to the non‑physical product has been registered in respect of that non‑physical product; or (ii) there is stamped, engraved or impressed on or otherwise applied to a device for projecting the non‑physical product anything expressing or implying that the design applied to the non‑physical product has been registered in respect of that non‑physical product; and [29/2017] [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] ( c ) a person is deemed to represent that a design applied to a set of articles and non-physical products is registered in respect of that set, if there is stamped, engraved or impressed on or otherwise applied to that set or any part of that set (including a device for projecting a non-physical product that is part of that set) anything expressing or implying that the design applied to the set has been registered in respect of that set. [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (3) A person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, if the person, after the right in a registered design has expired — ( a ) marks any article to which the design has been applied with anything implying that there is a subsisting right in the design under this Act, or causes any such article to be so marked; ( b ) applies, or causes to be applied, to a non‑physical product to which the design has been applied, anything implying that there is a subsisting right in the design under this Act; or ( c ) marks any device for projecting a non‑physical product (being a non‑physical product to which the design has been applied) with anything implying that there is a subsisting right in the design under this Act, or causes any such device to be so marked. [29/2017]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s67
chapter: PART 6 - OFFENCES
section: 67
title: Offences by partnership or body corporate
content:
67. —(1) Proceedings for an offence under this Act alleged to have been committed by a partnership must be brought against the partnership in the name of the firm and not in that of the partners; but without affecting any liability of the partners under subsection (3). (2) A fine imposed on a partnership on its conviction in such proceedings must be paid out of the partnership assets. (3) Where a partnership is guilty of an offence under this Act, every partner, other than a partner who is proved to have been ignorant of or to have attempted to prevent the commission of the offence, is also guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. (4) Where an offence under this Act committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he or she as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68
chapter: PART 6 - OFFENCES
section: 68
title: Composition of offences
content:
68. —(1) The Registrar or any person authorised in writing by the Registrar may compound any offence under this Act that is prescribed as a compoundable offence by collecting from a person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding the lower of the following: ( a ) one half of the amount of the maximum fine that is prescribed for the offence; ( b ) $5,000. [Act 23 of 2019 wef 10/06/2022] (2) The Office may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations to prescribe the offences that may be compounded. (3) On payment of the sum of money, no further proceedings are to be taken against that person in respect of the offence. (4) All sums collected under this section must be paid into the Consolidated Fund. [Act 23 of 2019 wef 10/06/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68A
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68A
title: Interpretation of this Part
content:
68A. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires — “aircraft” has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995 * ; “authorised officer” means — ( a ) an officer of customs as defined in section 3(1) of the Customs Act 1960 * ; or ( b ) any officer or class or description of officers appointed under section 68B(2); [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] “conveyance” has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995 * ; “Director-General” means the Director-General of Customs appointed under section 4(1) of the Customs Act 1960 * ; “goods in transit” means goods imported, whether or not landed or transhipped within Singapore, which are to be carried to another country either by the same or another conveyance; “infringement action” means an action for an infringement of a registered design; “infringing article” means an article in respect of which a design is registered and to which the design, or a design not substantially different from that design, has been applied, where — ( a ) the article is made in Singapore without the consent of the registered owner and in a way that infringes the design; or ( b ) the article is made in another country or territory without the consent of the registered owner and in a way that, had it been made in Singapore, would have infringed the design; “infringing device” means a device for projecting a non-physical product, being a non-physical product in respect of which a design is registered and to which the design or a design not substantially different from that design, has been applied, where — ( a ) the device is made in Singapore without the consent of the registered owner and in a way that infringes the design; or ( b ) the device is made in another country or territory without the consent of the registered owner and in a way that, had it been made in Singapore, would have infringed the design; “infringing goods” means an infringing article or infringing device; “owner”, in relation to the registered design, means the registered owner of the registered design and includes an exclusive licensee of the registered design; “requestor” means a person who gives a written notice under section 68D(1) to the Director-General; “retention period”, in relation to seized goods, means — ( a ) the period specified in a notice given under section 68G(2) in respect of those goods; or ( b ) if that period has been extended under section 68G(6), that period as so extended; “seized goods” means goods seized under section 68D(4); “senior authorised officer” means — ( a ) a senior officer of customs as defined in section 3(1) of the Customs Act 1960 * ; or ( b ) any officer or class or description of officers appointed under section 68B(3); [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] “vehicle” and “vessel” have the respective meanings given by section 2(1) of the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995 * . [*Updated to be consistent with the 2020 Revised Edition] [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68B
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68B
title: Administration of this Part
content:
68B. —(1) The Director-General may delegate to a senior officer of customs (within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Customs Act 1960 * ) any of the powers of the Director-General under this Part (except the power of delegation conferred by this section), subject to such conditions or restrictions as the Director-General may determine. [*Updated to be consistent with the 2020 Revised Edition] [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022] [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (2) The Minister may appoint any officer or class or description of officers to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed on an authorised officer by this Part. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (3) The Minister may appoint any officer or class or description of officers to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed on a senior authorised officer by this Part. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (4) An appointment under subsection (2) or (3) must be published in the Gazette . [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68C
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68C
title: Fees
content:
68C. —(1) The Minister charged with the responsibility for customs duties may make rules to prescribe the fees payable to the Director-General in connection with the administration of this Part. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), rules may be made to prescribe the fees for the following purposes: ( a ) for the escort of a conveyance conveying seized goods; ( b ) for the attendance of an authorised officer or a senior authorised officer in connection with the inspection or destruction of seized goods; ( c ) for the attendance of an authorised officer or a senior authorised officer in connection with any other act or service under this Part. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022] Division 2 &#x2014; Seizure of goods on request


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68D
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68D
title: Request for seizure of infringing goods
content:
68D. —(1) The owner of a registered design may give the Director-General a written notice — ( a ) stating that the owner is — (i) the registered owner of the registered design; or (ii) the exclusive licensee of the registered design; ( b ) stating that goods that are infringing goods in relation to the registered design are expected to be imported or exported; ( c ) providing sufficient information — (i) to identify the goods; (ii) to enable the Director-General to ascertain when and where the goods are expected to be imported or exported, as the case may be; and (iii) to satisfy the Director-General that the goods are infringing goods in relation to the registered design; and ( d ) requesting the Director-General to seize the goods. (2) A notice under subsection (1) must be — ( a ) in the form determined by the Director-General, and supported by such documents and information as the Director-General may require; and ( b ) accompanied by the fee prescribed under section 68C. (3) A notice under subsection (1) remains in force until the 59th day after the day on which the notice was given, unless it is revoked, before the end of that period, by a written notice given to the Director-General by the requestor. (4) If — ( a ) a notice has been given under subsection (1) in respect of a registered design; ( b ) the notice has not lapsed or been revoked; and ( c ) a person imports or proposes to export goods, not being goods in transit, that, in the opinion of an authorised officer, are infringing goods in relation to the registered design in question, an authorised officer may seize the goods. (5) The Minister may make rules that are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Division, and in particular to provide — ( a ) for the times at which, and the manner in which, notices are to be given; ( b ) for the giving of information and evidence to the Director-General; and ( c ) that an authorised officer may refuse to seize any goods because of non-compliance with any direction of the Director-General or any such rule. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68E
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68E
title: Security for liability or expense of seizure, storage and disposal
content:
68E. An authorised officer may refuse to seize goods under section 68D unless the requestor — ( a ) deposits with the Director-General a sum of money that, in the opinion of the Director-General, is sufficient; or ( b ) gives security, to the satisfaction of the Director-General, for the reimbursement to the Government of any liability or reasonable expense it is likely to incur in relation to the seizure, storage and disposal of the goods, and for the payment of such compensation as may be ordered by the Court under section 68M(2) or 68N(6). [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68F
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68F
title: Secure storage of seized goods
content:
68F. At the Director-General’s direction, seized goods must be taken to a secure place the Director-General directs, either by the person in possession, custody or control of those goods immediately before the seizure or the requestor, whoever the Director-General considers appropriate. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68G
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68G
title: Notice of seizure
content:
68G. —(1) As soon as is practicable after goods are seized under section 68D, the Director-General must give to the importer or exporter (as the case may be), and the requestor, personally, by post or (with the prior consent of the addressee) by email, a written notice identifying the goods and stating that they have been seized. (2) A notice under subsection (1) must state that the goods will be released to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) unless — ( a ) an infringement action in respect of the goods is instituted by the requestor within a specified period after the day specified in the notice; and ( b ) the requestor gives written notice to the Director-General within that period stating that the infringement action has been instituted. (3) The period to be specified for the purposes of subsection (2)( a ) is the period prescribed for the purposes of that provision. (4) The day specified for the purposes of subsection (2)( a ) must not be earlier than the day on which the notice is given. (5) The requestor may, by written notice given to the Director-General before the end of the period specified in a notice for the purposes of subsection (2)( a ) (called in this section the initial period), request that the period be extended. (6) Subject to subsection (7), if — ( a ) a request is made in accordance with subsection (5); and ( b ) the Director-General is satisfied that it is reasonable that the request be granted, the Director-General may extend the initial period by such period as is prescribed. (7) A decision on a request made in accordance with subsection (5) must be made within 2 working days after the request is made, but such a decision cannot be made after the end of the initial period to which the request relates. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68H
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68H
title: Persons bound to give information or produce documents
content:
68H. —(1) At any time after goods have been seized under section 68D, an authorised officer or a senior authorised officer who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has any information or document that the officer considers is relevant for any of the purposes in subsection (2), may require that person to provide to the officer that information or document at a time and place specified by the officer. (2) The purposes mentioned in subsection (1) are — ( a ) to enable the Director-General to satisfy a request under section 68I (whether or not such a request has actually been received); ( b ) to enable any action to be taken under this Division in relation to future shipments of goods; and ( c ) for a statistical or research purpose. (3) A person who — ( a ) without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (1); or ( b ) in purported compliance with such requirement, knowingly or recklessly provides any information or document that is false or misleading in a material particular, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. (4) A person is not excused from providing any information or document in compliance with a requirement under subsection (1) on the ground that it might tend to incriminate the person. (5) Where the person claims, before providing any information or document pursuant to a requirement under subsection (1), that it might tend to incriminate the person, then the information or document is not admissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings other than proceedings for an offence under subsection (3). (6) No information or document that is provided pursuant to a requirement under subsection (1) may be published, or communicated or disclosed to any person, except where and to the extent it is necessary for a purpose in subsection (2). (7) A person who contravenes subsection (6) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68I
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68I
title: Information on import or export
content:
68I. —(1) After goods have been seized under section 68D, the Director-General may, upon the request of the requestor, and if the Director-General is satisfied that the information is necessary to enable the requestor to institute an infringement action, give the requestor the name and contact details of any person connected with the import or proposed export (as the case may be) of the seized goods. (2) Subsection (1) applies despite any duty of confidentiality imposed by the common law on the Director-General or a person to whom the Director-General has delegated the power under that subsection. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68J
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68J
title: Inspection of seized goods
content:
68J. —(1) The Director-General may permit the requestor, or the importer or exporter (as the case may be), to inspect the seized goods. (2) If the requestor gives the Director-General the requisite undertakings, the Director-General may permit the requestor to remove a sample of the seized goods from the custody of the Director-General for inspection by the requestor. (3) If the importer or exporter (as the case may be) gives the Director-General the requisite undertakings, the Director-General may permit the importer or exporter to remove a sample of the seized goods from the custody of the Director-General for inspection by the importer or exporter. (4) The requisite undertakings are undertakings in writing that the person giving the undertaking will — ( a ) return the sample to the Director-General at a specified time that is satisfactory to the Director-General; and ( b ) take reasonable care to prevent damage to the sample. (5) If the Director-General permits inspection of the seized goods, or the removal of a sample, by the requestor in accordance with this section, the Director-General is not liable to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) for any loss or damage suffered by the importer or exporter (as the case may be) arising out of — ( a ) damage to any of the seized goods incurred during that inspection; or ( b ) anything done by the requestor or any other person to, or in relation to, the sample removed from the custody of the Director-General or any use made by the requestor of such a sample. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68K
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68K
title: Forfeiture of seized goods by consent
content:
68K. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), the importer or exporter (as the case may be) may, by written notice and the giving of the prescribed written undertakings to the Director-General, consent to the seized goods being forfeited to the Government. (2) The notice in subsection (1) must be given before any infringement action in relation to the seized goods is instituted. (3) If the importer or exporter (as the case may be) satisfies the requirements of subsection (1), the seized goods are forfeited to the Government and must be disposed of — ( a ) in the manner prescribed by rules made under this Act; or ( b ) if no manner of disposal is so prescribed, as the Director-General directs. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68L
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68L
title: Compulsory release of seized goods to importer or exporter
content:
68L. —(1) The Director-General must release the seized goods (not being goods forfeited to the Government under section 68K) to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) as soon as possible after the date of expiry of the retention period for the goods if the requestor has not, before that date — ( a ) instituted an infringement action in relation to the goods; and ( b ) given written notice to the Director-General stating that the infringement action has been instituted. (2) If — ( a ) an infringement action has been instituted in relation to the seized goods; and ( b ) on the 22nd day after the day on which the action was instituted, there is not in force an order of the Court in which the action was instituted preventing the release of the goods, the Director-General must release the goods to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) as soon as possible after the firstmentioned day. (3) If the requestor gives written notice to the Director-General stating that the requestor consents to the release of the seized goods, the Director-General must release the goods to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) as soon as possible. (4) This section has effect subject to section 68O. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68M
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68M
title: Compensation for failure to take action
content:
68M. —(1) Where goods have been seized pursuant to a notice given under section 68D(1) and the requestor concerned fails to take infringement action within the retention period for the goods, a person aggrieved by such seizure may apply to the Court for an order of compensation against the requestor. (2) Where the Court is satisfied that the plaintiff to an action under this section had suffered loss or damage as a result of the seizure of the goods, the Court may order the requestor to pay compensation in such amount as the Court thinks fit to the plaintiff. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68N
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68N
title: Infringement actions
content:
68N. —(1) The Court in which an infringement action is pending may, on the application of a person having a sufficient interest in the subject matter of the action, allow the person to be joined as a defendant to the action. (2) An authorised officer is entitled to be heard on the hearing of an infringement action. (3) In addition to any relief that may be granted apart from this section, the Court may — ( a ) at any time, order that the seized goods be released to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) subject to such conditions, if any, as the Court thinks fit; ( b ) order that the seized goods not be released to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) before the end of a specified period; or ( c ) order that the seized goods be forfeited to the Government. (4) The Court may not make an order under subsection (3)( a ) if it is satisfied that the Government or any statutory authority is required or permitted under any other law to retain control of the seized goods. (5) The Director-General must comply with an order made under subsection (3). (6) If — ( a ) the infringement action is dismissed or discontinued, or the Court decides that the relevant registered design was not infringed; and ( b ) a defendant to the infringement action satisfies the Court that the defendant has suffered loss or damage as a result of the seizure of the goods, the Court may order the requestor to pay compensation in such amount as the Court thinks fit to that defendant. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68O
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68O
title: Retention of control of seized goods
content:
68O. Despite section 68L, in a case in which no order has been made under section 68N(3) in relation to the seized goods, the Director-General is not obliged to release or dispose of the goods if the Government is required or permitted, under any other law, to retain control of the goods. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68P
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68P
title: Disposal of seized goods
content:
68P. —(1) If the Court orders that seized goods are to be forfeited to the Government, the goods must be disposed of — ( a ) in the manner prescribed by rules made under this Act; or ( b ) if no manner of disposal is so prescribed, as the Director-General directs. (2) If — ( a ) the Director-General gives to the importer or exporter a written notice of the release of seized goods; and ( b ) the importer or exporter fails to take custody of the seized goods within the period specified in the notice, the Director-General may dispose of the goods — (i) in the manner prescribed by rules made under this Act; or (ii) if no manner of disposal is so prescribed, as the Director-General directs. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68Q
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68Q
title: Insufficient security
content:
68Q. —(1) If the reasonable expenses incurred by the Director-General in relation to any action taken by the Director-General under this Division, or taken in accordance with an order of the Court under this Division exceed the amount deposited, or the amount of the security given, under section 68E, the amount of the excess is a debt due to the Government. (2) The debt created by subsection (1) is due by the requestor, or, if there are 2 or more requestors, by the requestors jointly and severally. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022] Division 3 &#x2014; Powers of inspection


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68R
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68R
title: Powers of inspection in relation to vehicles
content:
68R. —(1) A senior authorised officer, or an authorised officer acting in accordance with the general or special directions of a senior authorised officer, may board any vehicle in Singapore and may inspect all parts of the vehicle for goods liable to be seized under section 68D. (2) For the more effective exercise of the powers conferred by this section, a senior authorised officer or an authorised officer may require the person in charge of a vehicle — ( a ) to stop and not to proceed until so authorised; or ( b ) to bring the vehicle to any examination station. (3) It is presumed in any proceedings arising out of anything done under this section, unless the contrary is proved, that any authorised officer, not being a senior authorised officer, by whom the thing was done was acting in accordance with the general or special direction of a senior authorised officer. (4) Any person who contravenes this section or who fails to comply with any lawful requisition or direction given or made under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68S
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68S
title: Examination of packages, etc.
content:
68S. —(1) Any goods, package, box, chest or other article which is being or has recently been imported, or is being exported, and in regard to which a reasonable suspicion exists that it is or that it contains goods liable to be seized under section 68D may be — ( a ) examined and inspected by an authorised officer or detained until any person in charge of it has opened it for examination and inspection; ( b ) subjected to such infringement verification, or tests or analysis as the authorised officer thinks fit; or ( c ) marked, locked, sealed or otherwise secured by an authorised officer pending examination and inspection. (2) An authorised officer may require the person in charge of any package, box, chest or other article mentioned in subsection (1) to open the package, box, chest or article (as the case may be) for examination and inspection. (3) If the person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article mentioned in subsection (1) refuses, or fails after being given reasonable time and opportunity, to comply with the requirement under subsection (2), a senior authorised officer, or an authorised officer acting in accordance with an order of a senior authorised officer, may forcibly open the package, box, chest or article to facilitate the examination and inspection of it. (4) Any person, other than an authorised officer, who removes, opens, breaks or tampers with any mark, lock, seal or other means of securing any goods, package, box, chest or other article mentioned in subsection (1)( c ) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. (5) In this section, “infringement verification” means any process (whether involving the owner of the registered design concerned or not) to determine if any article is or contains goods liable to be seized under section 68D(4). [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68T
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68T
title: Power to remove packages and goods to examination station
content:
68T. —(1) For the more convenient exercise of the powers conferred by section 68S, an authorised officer may remove any package, box, chest or other article or any goods to an examination station or may require it to be so removed by the owner of it or the owner’s agent or any person having the custody, charge or control of it. (2) A person who fails to comply with such requirement shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000. (3) Upon the failure by a person to comply with such requirement, an authorised officer may remove the package, box, chest, article or goods in the manner provided by subsection (1), and all the expenses of such removal (as certified by a senior authorised officer) are recoverable as a fine from that person or from the owner of the package, box, chest, article or goods. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68U
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68U
title: Inspection of baggage and belongings on person
content:
68U. —(1) Any person landing or being about to land or having recently landed from any vessel or aircraft, or leaving any vessel or aircraft in Singapore whether for the purpose of landing or otherwise, or entering or having recently entered Singapore by land, sea or air, must — ( a ) on demand by an authorised officer, either permit the person’s goods and baggage to be inspected by the officer for any goods liable to be seized under section 68D or, together with the goods and baggage, accompany the officer to an examination station, and there permit those goods and baggage to be inspected in the presence and under the supervision of a senior authorised officer for any goods liable to be seized under section 68D; ( b ) on demand by a senior authorised officer, permit the person’s goods and baggage to be inspected by the officer, or in the presence and under the supervision of the officer, for any goods liable to be seized under section 68D; or ( c ) on demand by a senior authorised officer, remove belongings kept in or under the clothing of the person, for inspection for any goods liable to be seized under section 68D. (2) The goods and baggage of any person who requests to be present when they are inspected must not be inspected except in the person’s presence, unless the person fails to be present after being given reasonable facility for being present. (3) Any person who refuses or fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any lawful demand made under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68V
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68V
title: Powers of authorised officers to enter certain premises
content:
68V. —(1) For the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by sections 68R to 68U, an authorised officer may, without warrant, enter upon — ( a ) any islet, landing place, wharf, dock, railway or quay; ( b ) any premises of a provider of port services or facilities licensed or exempted under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act 1996 * ; or ( c ) any premises of any airport operated under a licence or exemption under the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Act 2009 * . [*Updated to be consistent with the 2020 Revised Edition] (2) In this section, “railway” has the meaning given by the Railways Act 1905 * . [*Updated to be consistent with the 2020 Revised Edition] [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022] Division 4 &#x2014; Miscellaneous provisions


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68W
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68W
title: Obstruction
content:
68W. Any person who — ( a ) refuses any authorised officer or senior authorised officer access to any vehicle or place which the officer is entitled to under this Part; or ( b ) obstructs or hinders any authorised officer or senior authorised officer in the execution of any power conferred on that officer by this Part, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $15,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s68X
chapter: PART ?? - ASSISTANCE BY BORDER AUTHORITIES
section: 68X
title: Protection from personal liability
content:
68X. No liability shall lie personally against the Director-General, an authorised officer, a senior authorised officer, or any person acting under the direction of the Director-General for anything done or omitted to be done with reasonable care and in good faith in the course of or in connection with — ( a ) the exercise or purported exercise of any power under this Part; ( b ) the performance or purported performance of any function or the discharge or purported discharge of any duty under this Part; or ( c ) the compliance or purported compliance with this Part. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s69
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 69
title: Recognition of agents
content:
69. Except as otherwise provided by rules made under this Act, any act required or authorised by this Act to be done by or to any person in connection with the registration of a design, or any procedure relating to a registered design or the registration of a design, may be done by or to an agent authorised by that person orally or in writing.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s70
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 70
title: General powers of Court
content:
70. The Court, for the purpose of determining any question in the exercise of its original or appellate jurisdiction under this Act, may make any order or exercise any other power which the Registrar could have made or exercised for the purpose of determining that question.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s71
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 71
title: Costs in proceedings before Court
content:
71. In all proceedings before the Court under this Act, the Court may award to any party (including the Registrar) such costs as it may consider reasonable, but the Registrar must not be ordered to pay the costs of any other of the parties.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s72
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 72
title: Certificate of Registrar
content:
72. A certificate purporting to be under the hand of the Registrar as to any entry, matter or thing which the Registrar is authorised to make or do under this Act is prima facie evidence of the entry having been made, and of contents thereof, and of the matter or thing having been done or not done.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s72A
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 72A
title: Amendment of documents other than application for registration
content:
72A. Subject to the rules mentioned in section 74(2A), the Registrar may, at the written request of a person who has made an application (other than an application for registration of a design), or filed a notice or other document for the purposes of this Act, or at the written request of the person’s agent, amend the application, notice or document — ( a ) to correct a clerical error or an obvious mistake; or ( b ) if the Registrar is of the opinion that it is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances of the case to do so. [16/2012] [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s73
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 73
title: Fees
content:
73. —(1) There must be paid in respect of applications, registrations and other matters under this Act such fees as may be prescribed. [16/2012] (2) All fees collected must be paid into the funds of the Office. [16/2012] (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to fees prescribed in rules made under section 64A(2)( e ) which are to be forwarded to the International Bureau. [16/2012] (4) Subsection (2) does not apply to fees prescribed for the purposes of Part 6A * . [*Updated to be consistent with the 2020 Revised Edition] [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2022]


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s74
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 74
title: General power to make rules
content:
74. —(1) The Minister may, after consulting with the Office, make rules — ( a ) for any purpose for which rules are required or authorised to be made under this Act; ( b ) for prescribing matters authorised or required by this Act to be prescribed; ( c ) for prescribing matters necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act; and ( d ) generally for regulating the practice and procedure of any proceedings or other matter before the Registrar. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), rules made under this section may make provision — ( a ) prescribing the manner of filing of applications or other documents; ( b ) as to the practice and procedure of any proceedings or other matter before the Registrar; ( c ) requiring persons to make such statutory declarations as may be prescribed in support of any application, notice or request; ( d ) requiring and regulating the translation of documents and the filing and authentication of any translation; ( e ) relating to the service of documents; ( f ) authorising the rectification of irregularities of procedure; ( g ) prescribing the forms to be used for any purpose relating to the registration of a design or any other proceedings or matters before the Registrar; ( h ) requiring fees to be paid in connection with any proceedings or matters before the Registrar or in connection with the provision of any services by the Registry and prescribing those fees; ( i ) empowering the Registrar, in such cases as may be prescribed, to require a party to any proceedings before the Registrar to give security for costs, in relation to those proceedings or to proceedings on appeal, and providing for the consequences if security is not given; ( j ) regulating the mode of giving evidence in any proceedings before the Registrar and empowering the Registrar to compel the attendance of witnesses and the discovery and production of documents; ( k ) prescribing time limits for doing anything required to be done in connection with any proceedings or matters under this Act; ( l ) providing for the extension of any time limit so prescribed or specified by the Registrar, whether or not it has already expired; ( m ) providing for the publication of the practice directions issued by the Registrar; ( n ) providing for the publication of the forms to be used for any purpose relating to the registration of a design or any other proceedings or matters before the Registrar; ( o ) providing for the publication and sale of documents by the Registry and of information about such documents; and ( p ) for the reinstatement, and the conditions for the reinstatement, of — (i) any application which is treated as withdrawn; or (ii) any right which has been abrogated, or thing which has ceased to be in force or to exist, by reason of a failure to comply with any time limit which has been prescribed or which the Registrar has specified. [16/2012] (2A) Without limiting subsection (1), rules made under this section may make provision to enable the Registrar to publish a request — ( a ) to correct an error in the Register; and ( b ) to amend an application, a notice or other document, and to provide for the making of objections to the correction or amendment by a person claiming to be affected by it. [Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (3) Rules made under this section may make different provisions for different cases.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s75
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 75
title: Rules relating to application for registration
content:
75. —(1) Without limiting section 74, the Minister may, for the purposes of section 11, make rules providing that an application for registration of a design must or may contain — ( a ) a statement describing the representation of the design; ( b ) a statement describing the features of the design which the applicant considers to be new; ( c ) the classification of the articles, non‑physical products, or sets of articles and non‑physical products, to which the design is intended to be applied; and ( d ) if the design reproduced in the representation is to be applied to an article, a sample of the article. [29/2017] (2) Rules made under this section may provide for the manner in which the following are to be claimed in connection with an application for registration: ( a ) any claim that section 8, 9 or 10 applies in relation to the application; ( b ) any claim to a right of priority under section 12 or 13.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s76
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 76
title: Saving
content:
76. A reference in any law or document to the repealed United Kingdom Designs (Protection) Act (Cap. 339, 1985 Revised Edition), unless the context otherwise requires, is to be construed as a reference to this Act.


document_id: rda-2000
provision_ref: s77
chapter: PART 7 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
section: 77
title: Transitional provisions
content:
77. —(1) The provisions of the Schedule have effect with respect to transitional matters despite the provisions of this Act. (2) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette , amend the provisions of the Schedule. (3) For a period of 2 years after 21 November 2021, the Minister may, by rules, prescribe such transitional provisions in relation to the Copyright Act 2021 as the Minister may consider necessary or expedient. [22/2021] [S 759/2022]


document_id: recjra-2019
provision_ref: s1
section: 1
title: Short title and commencement
content:
1. This Act is the Reciprocal Enforcement of Commonwealth Judgments (Repeal) Act 2019 and comes into operation on a date that the Minister appoints by notification in the Gazette .


document_id: recjra-2019
provision_ref: s2
section: 2
title: Repeal of Reciprocal Enforcement of Commonwealth Judgments Act
content:
2. —(1) The Reciprocal Enforcement of Commonwealth Judgments Act (called in this Act the repealed Act) is repealed. (2) Despite subsection (1) — ( a ) sections 2A and 3(1) and (2) of the repealed Act as in force immediately before the date of commencement of this Act (called in this Act the appointed date) continue to apply to a judgment obtained before that date — (i) in a superior court of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; or (ii) in such court of such part of the Commonwealth as is specified in a notification under section 5 of the repealed Act that was in force immediately before that date; ( b ) sections 2A and 3(3) of the repealed Act as in force immediately before the appointed date continue to apply to a judgment registered under section 3(1) and (2) of the repealed Act, including those provisions as applied by paragraph ( a ); ( c ) sections 2A and 3(5) of the repealed Act as in force immediately before the appointed date continue to apply to a judgment mentioned in paragraph ( a ) registrable under the repealed Act, including by the application of that paragraph; and ( d ) section 4 of the repealed Act as in force immediately before the appointed date continues to apply to a judgment obtained in the General Division of the High Court before that date. [Act 40 of 2019 wef 01/03/2023]


document_id: recjra-2019
provision_ref: s3
section: 3
title: Repeal of Part II of Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act
content:
3. —(1) Part II of the Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (Cap. 265, 2001 Ed.) (called in this section the REFJA) is repealed. (2) Despite subsection (1), section 10 of the REFJA as in force immediately before the appointed date continues to apply in relation to an order made under section 3 of the REFJA before that date extending Part I of the REFJA to a part of the Commonwealth to which the repealed Act applied, and that was in force immediately before that date.


document_id: recjra-2019
provision_ref: s4
section: 4
title: Consequential amendment to International Arbitration Act
content:
4. —(1) Section 33 of the International Arbitration Act (Cap. 143A, 2002 Ed.) is amended by deleting subsection (2). (2) Despite subsection (1), section 33(2) of the International Arbitration Act as in force immediately before the appointed date continues to apply to a foreign award (within the meaning of that Act) made before that date and registrable under the repealed Act, including by the application of section 2(2).


document_id: recjra-2019
provision_ref: s5
section: 5
title: Additional saving and transitional provisions
content:
5. For a period of 2 years after the appointed date, the Minister may, by regulations, prescribe such additional provisions of a saving or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of any provision of this Act as the Minister may consider necessary or expedient.


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s2
chapter: PART 1 - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
section: 2
title: Interpretation
content:
2. —(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “appeal” includes any proceedings by way of discharging or setting aside a judgment or an application for a new trial or stay of enforcement; [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] “country” includes a territory; “country of the original court” means the country in which the original court is situated; “Family Justice Rules” means the Family Justice Rules made under section 46 of the Family Justice Act 2014; “foreign country” means any country outside Singapore; “judgment” means an interlocutory or final judgment or order given or made by a court in any civil proceedings, or a judgment or order given or made by a court in any criminal proceedings for the payment of a sum of money in respect of compensation or damages to an injured party, and includes a consent judgment, a consent order and a judicial settlement; “judgment creditor” means the person in whose favour the judgment was given (whether or not a sum of money is payable under the judgment), and includes any person in whom the rights under the judgment have become vested by succession or assignment or otherwise; “judgment debtor” means the person against whom the judgment was given (whether or not a sum of money is payable under the judgment), and includes any person against whom the judgment is enforceable under the law of the original court; “judicial settlement” — ( a ) means a contract approved by, or concluded before, a court in the course of proceedings, being a contract — (i) between the parties to proceedings before that court; (ii) by which those parties end those proceedings; and (iii) that is recorded by that court in an official document; but ( b ) does not include a consent order or consent judgment; “money judgment” means a judgment under which a sum of money is payable, not being a sum payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a similar nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty; “non‑money judgment” means a judgment that is not a money judgment, but does not include a judgment under which a sum of money is payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a similar nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty; “original court”, in relation to any judgment, means the court by which the judgment was given; “prescribed” means prescribed by Rules of Court or Family Justice Rules; “registration” means registration under Part 1 and “register” and “registered” shall be construed accordingly; “registering court”, in relation to any judgment, means the court to which an application to register the judgment is made; [16/2016; 25/2019] [S 26/2022 wef 13/01/2022] “sub-fund” and “VCC” have the meanings given by section 2(1) of the Variable Capital Companies Act 2018. [S 26/2022 wef 13/01/2022] (2) For the purposes of this Act, “action in personam” shall not be deemed to include any matrimonial cause or any proceedings in connection with any of the following matters: ( a ) matrimonial matters; ( b ) administration of the estates of deceased persons; ( c ) bankruptcy; ( d ) winding up of companies, including VCCs and sub-funds of a VCC; [S 26/2022 wef 13/01/2022] ( e ) lunacy; ( f ) guardianship of infants. (3) A reference to the making or giving of a judgment, in the case of a judgment that is a judicial settlement, is a reference to the making or concluding of the contract in paragraph ( a ) of the definition of “judicial settlement” in subsection (1). [25/2019] (4) Subject to Rules of Court and Family Justice Rules, any of the powers conferred by this Act on any court may be exercised by a judge of the court. [16/2016]


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s2A
chapter: PART 1 - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
section: 2A
title: Application
content:
2A. This Act does not apply to any judgment which may be recognised or enforced in Singapore under the Choice of Court Agreements Act 2016. [14/2016]


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s3
chapter: PART 1 - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
section: 3
title: Extension of Part to judgments of recognised courts of foreign countries on basis of reciprocity
content:
3. —(1) If the Minister is satisfied that, in the event of the benefits conferred by this Part being extended to a particular description of judgments given in a particular court or description of courts of a foreign country, substantial reciprocity of treatment will be assured as respects the enforcement in that foreign country of similar judgments given in a similar court or similar courts of Singapore, the Minister may, by order in the Gazette , direct that — ( a ) this Part applies to that foreign country; ( b ) the court or courts of the foreign country specified in the order is a recognised court or are recognised courts of the foreign country for the purposes of this Part; and ( c ) judgments specified in the order of any such recognised court or courts, if within subsection (2), are judgments to which this Part applies. [25/2019] (2) A judgment of a recognised court of a foreign country is within this subsection if — ( a ) it is given after the coming into operation of the order; and ( b ) it is final and conclusive as between the parties to it, unless it is an interlocutory judgment. [25/2019] (3) A judgment — ( a ) specified in an order under subsection (1) of a recognised court of a foreign country specified in the order; and ( b ) that is within subsection (2), is a judgment to which this Part applies. [25/2019] (4) However, the following judgments of a recognised court of a foreign country are not judgments to which this Part applies: ( a ) a judgment given by that court on appeal from a court that is not a recognised court; ( b ) a judgment or other instrument that is regarded for the purposes of its enforcement as a judgment of that court but which was given or made in another foreign country; ( c ) a judgment given by that court in proceedings founded on a judgment of a court in another foreign country and having as their object the enforcement of the second‑mentioned judgment. [25/2019] (5) For the purposes of this section, a judgment is taken to be final and conclusive even though — ( a ) an appeal may be pending against it; or ( b ) it may still be subject to appeal, in the courts of the country of the original court. [25/2019] (6) The Minister may by a subsequent order in the Gazette vary or revoke any order previously made under this section. [25/2019]


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s4
chapter: PART 1 - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
section: 4
title: Application for, and effect of, registration of foreign judgment
content:
4. —(1) A person, being a judgment creditor under a judgment to which this Part applies, may apply to the General Division of the High Court at any time — ( a ) within 6 years after the date of the judgment; or ( b ) where there have been proceedings by way of appeal against the judgment, after the date of the last judgment given in those proceedings, to have the judgment registered in the General Division of the High Court. [40/2019] (2) On an application under subsection (1), the court shall, subject to proof of the prescribed matters and to the provisions of this Act, order the judgment to be registered. (3) A judgment shall not be registered under this section if at the date of the application — ( a ) it has been wholly satisfied; ( b ) it has been discharged; or ( c ) it could not be enforced in the country of the original court. [25/2019] [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (4) The registering court — ( a ) may only register a non‑money judgment if, having regard to the circumstances of the case and the nature of the relief contained in the judgment, it is satisfied that enforcement of the judgment would be just and convenient; and ( b ) if it is of the opinion that such enforcement would not be just and convenient, may make an order for the registration of such amount as it considers to be the monetary equivalent of the relief. [25/2019] (5) If it appears to the registering court that a money judgment awards damages (including exemplary or punitive damages) that are in excess of compensation for the actual loss or harm suffered by the party awarded the damages, the judgment may only be registered for the amount of the compensation. [25/2019] (6) In making its decision under subsection (5), the registering court must take into account whether, and the extent to which, the damages awarded by the original court serve to cover costs and expenses relating to the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained. [25/2019] (7) Subject to the provisions of this Act with respect to the setting aside of registration — ( a ) a registered judgment shall, for the purposes of enforcement, be of the same force and effect; [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] ( b ) proceedings may be taken on a registered judgment; ( c ) the sum for which a judgment is registered shall carry interest; and ( d ) the registering court shall have the same control over the enforcement of a registered judgment, as if the judgment had been a judgment originally given in the registering court and entered on the date of registration. [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (8) An enforcement order must not be issued to enforce a judgment so long as, under this Part and the Rules of Court or Family Justice Rules made thereunder, it is competent for any party to make an application to have the registration of the judgment set aside or, where such application is made, until after the application has been finally determined. [16/2016] [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (9) If at the date of the application for registration the judgment of the original court has been partly satisfied, the judgment shall not be registered in respect of the whole sum payable under the judgment of the original court, but only in respect of the balance remaining payable at the date. (10) If, on an application for the registration of a judgment, it appears to the registering court that the judgment is in respect of different matters and that some, but not all, of the provisions of the judgment are such that if those provisions had been contained in separate judgments those judgments could properly have been registered, the judgment may be registered in respect of the provisions aforesaid but not in respect of any other provisions contained therein. (11) In addition to any sum of money payable under the judgment of the original court (including any interest which by the law of the country of the original court becomes due under the judgment up to the time of registration), or the amount of the monetary equivalent of the relief mentioned in subsection (4)( b ) (as the case may be), the judgment must be registered for the reasonable costs of and incidental to registration, including the costs of obtaining a certified copy of the judgment from the original court. [25/2019]


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s5
chapter: PART 1 - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
section: 5
title: Cases in which registered judgments must or may be set aside
content:
5. —(1) On an application in that behalf duly made by any party against whom a registered judgment may be enforced, the registration of the judgment — ( a ) shall be set aside if the registering court is satisfied — (i) that the judgment is not a judgment to which this Part applies or was registered in contravention of sections 3 and 4; (ii) that the courts of the country of the original court had no jurisdiction in the circumstances of the case; (iii) that the judgment debtor, being a defendant in the proceedings in the original court, did not (notwithstanding that process may have been duly served on him in accordance with the law of the country of the original court) receive notice of those proceedings in sufficient time to enable him to defend the proceedings and did not appear; (iv) that the judgment was obtained by fraud; (v) that the enforcement of the judgment would be contrary to public policy in the country of the registering court; or (vi) that the rights under the judgment are not vested in the person by whom the application for registration was made; ( b ) may be set aside if the registering court is satisfied that the matter in dispute in the proceedings in the original court had before the date of the judgment in the original court been the subject of a final and conclusive judgment by a court having jurisdiction in the matter; or ( c ) may be set aside if the registering court is satisfied that the notice of registration had not been served on the judgment debtor, or that the notice of registration was defective. [25/2019] (2) To avoid doubt, subsection (1)( c ) does not prevent the subsequent registration of a judgment the registration of which has been previously set aside solely under that provision. [25/2019] (3) For the purposes of this section, the courts of the country of the original court shall, subject to subsection (4), be deemed to have had jurisdiction — ( a ) in the case of a judgment given in an action in personam — (i) if the judgment debtor, being a defendant in the proceedings in the original court, submitted to the jurisdiction of that court by voluntarily appearing in the proceedings otherwise than for the purpose of — (A) protecting, or obtaining the release of, property seized or threatened with seizure in the proceedings; (B) contesting the jurisdiction of that court; or (C) inviting that court in its discretion not to exercise its jurisdiction in the proceedings; (ii) if the judgment debtor was a claimant, or counterclaimed, in the proceedings in the original court; [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (iii) if the judgment debtor, being a defendant in the proceedings in the original court, had before the commencement of the proceedings agreed, in respect of the subject matter of the proceedings, to submit to the jurisdiction of that court or of the courts of the country of that court; (iv) if the judgment debtor, being a defendant in the proceedings in the original court, was at the time when the proceedings were instituted resident, or being a body corporate had its principal place of business, in the country of that court; or (v) if the judgment debtor, being a defendant in the proceedings in the original court, had an office or place of business in the country of that court and the proceedings in that court were in respect of a transaction effected through or at that office or place; ( b ) in the case of a judgment given in an action of which the subject matter was immovable property or in an action in rem of which the subject matter was movable property, if the property in question was at the time of the proceedings in the original court situate in the country of that court; and ( c ) in the case of a judgment given in an action other than any such action as is mentioned in paragraph ( a ) or ( b ), if the jurisdiction of the original court is recognised by the law of the registering court. [25/2019] (4) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (3), the courts of the country of the original court shall not be deemed to have had jurisdiction — ( a ) if the subject matter of the proceedings was immovable property outside the country of the original court; ( b ) except in the cases mentioned in subsection (3)( a )(i), (ii) and (iii) and ( c ), if the bringing of the proceedings in the original court was contrary to an agreement under which the dispute in question was to be settled otherwise than by proceedings in the courts of the country of that court; or ( c ) if the judgment debtor, being a defendant in the proceedings in the original court, was a person who under the rules of public international law was entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of the courts of the country of the original court and did not submit to the jurisdiction of that court. (5) In this section, “notice of registration” means a notice of the registration of a judgment mentioned in section 8(1)( c ) that is required to be served on a judgment debtor by the Rules of Court or Family Justice Rules, as the case may be. [25/2019]


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s6
chapter: PART 1 - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
section: 6
title: Power of registering court on application to set aside registration
content:
6. —(1) If, on an application to set aside the registration of a judgment, the applicant satisfies the registering court either that an appeal is pending, or that he is entitled and intends to appeal, against the judgment, the court, if it thinks fit, may, on such terms as it may think just — ( a ) set aside the registration; or ( b ) adjourn the application to set aside the registration until after the expiration of such period as appears to the court to be reasonably sufficient to enable the applicant to take the necessary steps to have the appeal disposed of by the competent tribunal. (2) Where the registration of a judgment is set aside under subsection (1), or solely for the reason that the judgment was not at the date of the application for registration enforceable in the country of the original court, the setting aside of the registration shall not prejudice a further application to register the judgment when the appeal has been disposed of or if and when the judgment becomes enforceable in that country, as the case may be. [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (3) Where the registration of a judgment is set aside solely for the reason that the judgment, notwithstanding that it had at the date of the application for registration been partly satisfied, was registered for the whole sum payable thereunder, the registering court shall, on the application of the judgment creditor, order judgment to be registered for the balance remaining payable at that date.


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s7
chapter: PART 1 - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
section: 7
title: Foreign judgments which can be registered not to be enforceable otherwise
content:
7. —(1) No proceedings for the recovery of a sum payable under a foreign judgment, being a judgment to which this Part applies, other than proceedings by way of registration of the judgment, shall be entertained by any court in Singapore. (2) Where the date of coming into operation of the relevant order is before the date it is published in the Gazette , subsection (1) shall apply only to proceedings commenced in any court in Singapore on or after the date the relevant order is published in the Gazette . (3) In subsection (2), “relevant order” means the order made under section 3 by virtue of which the foreign judgment is a judgment to which this Part applies.


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s8
chapter: PART 1 - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
section: 8
title: Rules of Court and Family Justice Rules
content:
8. —(1) Subject to this section, the power to make Rules of Court under section 80 of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1969, and the power to make Family Justice Rules under section 46 of the Family Justice Act 2014, shall include power to make Rules of Court and Family Justice Rules, respectively, for the following purposes: ( a ) for making provision with respect to the giving of security for costs by persons applying for the registration of judgments; ( b ) for prescribing the matters to be proved on an application for the registration of a judgment and for regulating the mode of proving those matters; ( c ) for providing for the service on the judgment debtor of notice of the registration of a judgment; ( d ) for making provision with respect to the fixing of the period within which an application may be made to have the registration of the judgment set aside and with respect to the extension of the period so fixed; ( e ) for prescribing the method by which any question arising under this Act whether a foreign judgment can be enforced in the country of the original court, or what interest is payable under a foreign judgment under the law of the original court, is to be determined; [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] ( f ) for prescribing any matter which under this Part is to be prescribed. [16/2016] (2) Such Rules of Court and Family Justice Rules shall be expressed to have and shall have effect subject to any such provisions contained in orders made under section 3 as are declared by the orders to be necessary for giving effect to agreements made between the Minister and the foreign countries in relation to matters with respect to which there is power to make the Rules of Court and Family Justice Rules. [16/2016]


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s11
chapter: PART 3 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL
section: 11
title: General effect of certain foreign judgments
content:
11. —(1) Subject to this section, a judgment to which Part 1 applies or would have applied if a sum of money had been payable thereunder, whether or not it can be or is registered, shall be recognised in any court in Singapore as conclusive between the parties thereto in all proceedings founded on the same cause of action and may be relied on by way of defence or counterclaim in any such proceedings. (2) This section shall not apply in the case of any judgment — ( a ) where the judgment has been registered and the registration thereof has been set aside on some ground other than — (i) that a sum of money was not payable under the judgment; (ii) that the judgment had been wholly or partly satisfied; or (iii) that at the date of the application the judgment could not be enforced in the country of the original court; or [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] ( b ) where the judgment has not been registered, it is shown (whether it could have been registered or not) that if it had been registered the registration thereof would have been set aside on an application for that purpose on some ground other than one of the grounds specified in paragraph ( a ). (3) Nothing in this section shall be taken to prevent any court in Singapore recognising any judgment as conclusive of any matter of law or fact decided therein if that judgment would have been so recognised before 21 March 1959.


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s12
chapter: PART 3 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL
section: 12
title: Power to make foreign judgments unenforceable in Singapore if no reciprocity
content:
12. —(1) If it appears to the Minister that the treatment in respect of recognition and enforcement accorded by the courts of a foreign country to judgments given in a court of Singapore, is substantially less favourable than that accorded by the courts in Singapore to judgments of a court of that country that is similar to the firstmentioned court of Singapore, the Minister may by order apply this section to that country. [25/2019] (2) Except insofar as the Minister may by order under this section otherwise direct, no proceedings shall be entertained in any court in Singapore for the recovery of any sum alleged to be payable under judgment given in a court of a country to which this section applies. (3) The Minister may by a subsequent order vary or revoke any order previously made under this section.


document_id: refja-1959
provision_ref: s13
chapter: PART 3 - MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL
section: 13
title: Issue of certificates of judgments obtained in Singapore
content:
13. —(1) Where — ( a ) a judgment has been given in a court of Singapore; and ( b ) the judgment creditor desires to enforce the judgment in a foreign country to which Part 1 applies, the registrar of the court of Singapore, on an application made by a judgment creditor and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, is to issue to the judgment creditor certified copies of the pleadings, order of court and written grounds of decision (if any), together with a certificate that contains such particulars as may be prescribed by the Rules of Court or Family Justice Rules. [25/2019] (2) Where enforcement of a judgment is stayed for any period pending an appeal or for any other reason, an application shall not be made under subsection (1) with respect to the judgment until the expiration of that period. [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s2
chapter: PART 1 - PRELIMINARY
section: 2
title: Interpretation
content:
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “Acts” means all Acts of Parliament and includes the Constitution, the United Kingdom enactments and all Ordinances having the force of law in Singapore; “Commissioners” means the Law Revision Commissioners appointed under section 3; “revised edition of Acts” means the revised edition of the Acts prepared under the authority of this Act; [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] “revised edition of subsidiary legislation” means a revised edition, prepared under the authority of this Act, of orders in council, proclamations, rules, regulations, orders, notifications, by‑laws and other forms of subsidiary legislation made under any Act or other lawful authority and having legislative effect. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s3
chapter: PART 2 - LAW REVISION COMMISSION
section: 3
title: Appointment of Commission
content:
3. —(1) The President may appoint a Law Revision Commission comprising, as Law Revision Commissioners — ( a ) the Attorney‑General; ( b ) a Deputy Attorney‑General; ( c ) the Solicitor‑General; ( d ) the Chief Legislative Counsel; and ( e ) any other persons whom the President may appoint, to prepare and publish a revised edition of Acts and one or more revised editions of subsidiary legislation and to make subsequent revisions thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Act. [41/2014; 4/2021; S 365/2013] [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] (2) Every Commissioner appointed under subsection (1)( e ) holds office for a period not exceeding 3 years that the President may determine and is eligible for re‑appointment. (3) The President may at any time revoke the appointment of any Commissioner appointed under subsection (1)( e ). (4) In case any of the Commissioners, appointed under subsection (1), is unable from any cause fully to discharge his or her commission under this Act, the President may appoint some other person to be a Commissioner or temporarily in his or her stead to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of a Commissioner. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (5) In case any Commissioner is unable from any cause fully to discharge his or her commission under this Act and no appointment has been made under subsection (4), the remaining Commissioner or Commissioners have and may exercise all the powers and duties conferred by this Act upon the Commissioners. (6) Where any power is conferred by this Act upon the Commissioners to make any notification or order, or authorise any thing or matter to be done, it is sufficient if the exercise of such power by the Commissioners is signified by the Attorney-General or any other Commissioner. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] (7) An appointment under subsection (1) or (4) must be published in the Gazette . [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s4
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 4
title: Powers of Commissioners
content:
4. —(1) In the preparation of the revised edition of Acts, the Commissioners have power, without changing the meaning of any Act — ( a ) to omit — (i) all Acts or parts of Acts which have been repealed, expressly, specifically or by necessary implication, or which have expired or have become spent or have had effect, and all Supply Acts and Acts or parts of Acts so far as they effect changes of titles; (ii) all repealing enactments contained in Acts and all tables or lists of repealed enactments, whether contained in schedules or otherwise; (iii) all preambles to Acts; (iv) all introductory words of enactment in any Act or section of an Act; (v) all enactments prescribing the date when an Act or part of an Act is to come into force; (vi) all amending Acts or parts of Acts where the amendments effected by those Acts or parts of Acts have been embodied by the Commissioners in the Acts to which they relate; (vii) all enacting clauses; and (viii) any parts of an Act which can more conveniently be included as rules, regulations, orders, notifications, by‑laws or other instruments made under any Act or other lawful authority and having legislative effect: Provided that section 16 of the Interpretation Act 1965 applies to such omissions in the same manner as if the enactments omitted had been repealed; ( b ) to arrange the grouping and sequence of Acts; ( c ) to add a long title or a short title to any Act and to alter the long title or the short title of any Act; ( d ) to supply, alter or omit tables of contents, footnotes, marginal notes, headings to sections and other provisions, and headings to Parts, Chapters and other subdivisions of any Act; ( e ) to adopt a convenient standard form in all Acts for — (i) the interpretation section; (ii) any penal section; and (iii) any section giving power to make subsidiary legislation, whether that section already appears in any Act or is inserted by the Commissioners as a result of the exercise by them of the power conferred by paragraph ( a )(viii) or any other power conferred upon them by this Act; ( f ) to consolidate into one Act any 2 or more Acts in pari materia, making any alterations that are thereby rendered necessary in the consolidated Act, and affixing a date thereto that may seem most convenient, and to incorporate all or any of the provisions of any Act in one or more other Acts where the provisions so incorporated relate to the same subject matter as the Act in which they are incorporated; ( g ) to divide any Act into 2 or more Acts and to make any amendments, including the supplying of titles or the alteration of existing titles, that are thereby rendered necessary; ( h ) to incorporate in any Act any amendment made to any schedule, form or other part by any authority under powers conferred by that Act; ( i ) to change the order of sections or other provisions of an Act, and to number or renumber the sections or other provisions of an Act; ( j ) to make the following editorial changes to bring an Act in line, or more closely in line, with current legislative drafting practice: (i) changes to spelling, punctuation, grammar or syntax, or the use of conjunctives and disjunctives; (ii) changes to the way of referring to or expressing a number, year, date, time, amount of money or of other things, penalty, quantity, measurement or other matter, idea or concept; (iii) changes to language that indicates or could be taken to indicate gender; ( k ) to alter the form of arrangement of any section of an Act by transposing words, by combining it in whole or in part with another section or other sections or by dividing it into 2 or more subsections; ( l ) to divide any Act, whether consolidated or not, into parts or other divisions; ( m ) to correct grammatical, typographical and similar mistakes in any Act and to make verbal additions, omissions or alterations; ( n ) to make any formal alterations as to names, localities, departments, offices, titles and otherwise that may be necessary to bring any Act to be included in the revised edition of Acts into conformity with the circumstances of Singapore; ( o ) to correct or update cross‑references; ( p ) to incorporate in or omit from any Act (as the case may be) all matters required to be added to, omitted from or substituted for any provisions of the Act as a result of any amendments made to that Act by any written law; ( q ) to delete any words, expressions, nomenclature or other provisions in any Act which have expired or become obsolete, including references to repealed Acts, and to substitute therefor, where necessary, appropriate words, expressions, nomenclature or provisions or references to the appropriate Acts; ( r ) to restyle Ordinances as Acts; and ( s ) to do all other things relating to form and method reasonably necessitated by or consequential upon the exercise by the Commissioners of any of the powers conferred upon them by this section or which may be necessary for the perfecting of the revised edition of Acts. [7/97; 2/2012; 4/2021] (2) A notification specifying the Acts that are omitted from the revised edition of Acts under subsection (1) must be published in the Gazette . (3) For the purpose of preparing the revised edition of Acts, the Commissioners may appoint a revision date and all Acts included in the revised edition must be revised up to that date.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s5
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 5
title: Omission of certain Acts from revised edition of Acts
content:
5. —(1) The Commissioners must omit from the revised edition of Acts any Acts that the President may specify by notification in the Gazette . (2) Despite anything to the contrary in this Act, such Acts and any Parts, sections or other divisions of such Acts remain in force until they have been expressly repealed or have expired or become spent or had effect.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s6
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 6
title: Mode of dealing with amendments, etc., not authorised under section 4
content:
6. —(1) If the Commissioners consider that it is desirable that, in the preparation of the revised edition of Acts, there should be omissions, amendments or additions, other than those authorised by section 4, the same may be collected and submitted to Parliament in the form of one or more Acts. (2) If the Act or Acts mentioned in subsection (1) are enacted prior to the date specified in the order mentioned in section 7, then — ( a ) the Commissioners must, in the preparation of the revised edition of Acts, give the like effect to such omissions, amendments or additions as if they had been authorised by section 4; and ( b ) if, as a result of any such omissions, amendments or additions, any Act or part thereof has been repealed or has expired or become spent or had effect, the Act or part thereof must be omitted from the revised edition of Acts.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s7
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 7
title: Bringing of revised edition of Acts into force
content:
7. —(1) The Commissioners must, upon completion, transmit to the President a copy of the revised edition of Acts. (2) The President may then, by order in the Gazette , provide that the revised edition of Acts comes into force on such date as the President thinks fit. (3) The revised edition of Acts must, as soon as possible after the publication of the order, be published and presented to Parliament. (4) From the date specified in the order mentioned in subsection (2), the revised edition of Acts is, without affecting sections 5 and 6, in all courts and for all purposes the sole and only proper Statute Book of Singapore in respect of Acts contained therein.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s8
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 8
title: Contents and arrangement of revised edition of Acts
content:
8. —(1) Subject to sections 4, 5 and 6, the revised edition of Acts must include — ( a ) the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore; ( b ) all Acts wholly or substantially in force on 31 December 2020, and any other Acts coming wholly or substantially into force after that date that the Commissioners think fit to include; ( c ) a table of contents and a chronological table of Acts; and ( d ) a list of Acts omitted under section 5. [2/2012; 4/2021] (2) The revised edition of Acts must be printed in such number of volumes and divided as the Commissioners think fit. [4/2021] (3) The Acts contained in the revised edition of Acts may be arranged alphabetically or in any other way the Commissioners think fit, regardless of their date of enactment. [4/2021] (4) There must be annexed to each Act contained in the revised edition of Acts the Chapter number (if any) and the year and number by which the Act had previously been denoted in the last official publication thereof, as well as the year and number of any other law the provisions of which have been incorporated into it by virtue of the powers conferred upon the Commissioners under section 4. [4/2021] (5) The commencement of each Act must be set out immediately below the long title of the Act.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s9
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 9
title: Form of publication to be by bound booklet
content:
9. —(1) The Commissioners must cause the revised edition of every Act to be published in the form of one or more separate booklets, each of which must contain — ( a ) on the front page thereof the words — (i) “The Statutes of the Republic of Singapore”; and (ii) “2020 Revised Edition”; and ( b ) at the top of every subsequent page of each such booklet the words “2020 Ed.”. [4/2021] (2) The Commissioners must cause the various booklets which have been compiled for the purposes of subsection (1) to be contained together in any number of volumes that they consider convenient. (3) A booklet must be bound in a manner that will enable it to be easily removed from and replaced in a volume.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s10
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 10
title: Subsequent revision of revised edition of Acts
content:
10. —(1) The Commissioners may, from time to time after the revised edition of Acts comes into force, cause to be published — ( a ) a revised edition of any Act that they consider has been extensively amended; ( b ) a revised edition of any new Act enacted, other than an Act the sole or substantial effect of which was to amend other Acts; ( c ) either separately or together with any other such enactment or instrument, a new revised edition of any treaty or convention and other instruments already included in the revised edition of Acts that they consider has been extensively amended; ( d ) any treaties, conventions and other instruments enacted, made or agreed to that they consider may usefully be published; and ( e ) a new table of contents, a chronological table of Acts and a list of the latest edition of each booklet containing an Act included in the revised edition of Acts and, in the case of Acts which have been published or revised in loose‑leaf form, a list of those Acts and the pages thereof which have been revised. [2/2012; 4/2021] (2) The Commissioners may from time to time cause to be published a new revised edition of any Act, treaty, convention or other instrument which has not been amended. [4/2021] (3) A publication under subsection (1) or (2) may — ( a ) be in electronic form, in the form of a booklet or in a loose‑leaf form; and [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] ( b ) include any notes, indexes, instructions or other information that the Commissioners consider useful. [4/2021]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s11
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 11
title: Powers and duties of Commissioners under section 10
content:
11. —(1) For the purposes of section 10, the Commissioners may exercise and perform any of the powers and duties conferred or imposed upon them by this Act in the preparation of the revised edition of Acts. (2) Every edition of any Act, treaty, convention or other instrument published pursuant to section 10 must contain the description referred to in section 9(1) except that for the reference to the 2020 Revised Edition there must be substituted a reference to the year in which the edition is published. [4/2021] [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (3) The Commissioners must transmit to the President a copy of every edition of any Act, treaty, convention or other instrument published under section 10 and with effect from such date as the President may specify by order in the Gazette any such edition of any Act, treaty, convention or other instrument is, in all courts and for all purposes, the sole and only proper law of Singapore in respect of that Act, treaty, convention or other instrument. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (4) Every edition of any Act, treaty, convention or other instrument must, as soon as possible after the publication of the order, be presented to Parliament. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] 11A. [ Repealed by Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025 ]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s12
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 12
title: Publication of lists of titles of current Acts
content:
12. The Commissioners may from time to time cause to be published in the Gazette a list of the titles of all Acts in force in Singapore and the year of the last published edition thereof.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s13
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 13
title: Validity of Acts not affected by omission from revised edition of Acts
content:
13. An Act omitted from the revised edition of Acts, other than any Act omitted under section 4, is not to be deemed to be without force and validity by reason only of the fact that it is so omitted.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s14
chapter: PART 3 - REVISION OF ACTS
section: 14
title: Saving of existing subsidiary legislation
content:
14. All subsidiary legislation made under the Acts in the revised edition of Acts or in any subsequent revision of Acts made pursuant to section 10 or under other lawful authority and having legislative effect, and in force on the date the revised edition of Acts or the subsequent revision of Acts (as the case may be) comes into force, continues in force until otherwise provided for. [4/2021]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s15
chapter: PART 4 - REVISION OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
section: 15
title: Subsidiary legislation
content:
15. —(1) The Commissioners may issue, as supplementary to the revised edition of Acts, one or more revised editions of subsidiary legislation in any manner or form (including in electronic form) that, in the opinion of the Commissioners, may be most practicable. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (2) In the preparation of a revised edition of subsidiary legislation, the Commissioners have the like powers to do all things as are conferred upon them by this Act in respect of the revised edition of Acts except that — ( a ) the powers conferred by section 6, other than that contained in subsection (2) of that section, are inapplicable; and ( b ) if the Commissioners consider it desirable that, in the preparation of the revised edition of subsidiary legislation, there should be amendments not authorised under the power previously conferred by this section, the Commissioners are empowered to prepare the amendments by virtue of this section, and submit them for approval to the authority having power to make the same. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] (3) The Commissioners also have power to include in a revised edition of subsidiary legislation any part of an Act omitted pursuant to section 4(1)( a )(viii), and any matter included in a revised edition of subsidiary legislation pursuant to this power is deemed for all purposes, including the exercise by the Commissioners of all the powers conferred by this section in relation thereto, to be subsidiary legislation of which a revised edition is being prepared pursuant to this Act. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] (4) For the purpose of preparing a revised edition of subsidiary legislation, the Commissioners may appoint a revision date and all subsidiary legislation included in the revised edition must be revised up to that date. (5) Where the Commissioners, in exercise of their powers under subsection (2) read with section 4(1)( f ), have (whether before, on or after the date of commencement of section 12 of the Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Act 2024) consolidated into one subsidiary legislation (called the consolidated subsidiary legislation) any 2 or more pieces of subsidiary legislation in pari materia and made by or under the same authority (whether or not those pieces of subsidiary legislation had been revised by the Commissioners), the consolidated subsidiary legislation may be amended by or under that same authority as if it were made by or under that authority. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s16
chapter: PART 4 - REVISION OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
section: 16
title: Subsidiary legislation not revised remains in force
content:
16. Despite anything to the contrary in this Act, any subsidiary legislation that is not revised by the Commissioners remains in force until it has been expressly revoked or has expired, become spent or had effect. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s17
chapter: PART 4 - REVISION OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
section: 17
title: Bringing of revised edition of subsidiary legislation into force
content:
17. —(1) The Commissioners must, upon completion, transmit to the President a copy of every revised edition of subsidiary legislation. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] (2) The President may then, by order in the Gazette , provide that the revised edition of subsidiary legislation comes into force on such date as the President thinks fit. (3) Every revised edition of subsidiary legislation must, as soon as possible after the publication of the order, be published and presented to Parliament. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] (4) From the date specified in the order mentioned in subsection (2), the revised edition of subsidiary legislation is, without affecting sections 15 and 16, in all courts and for all purposes the sole and only proper Statute Book of Singapore in respect of subsidiary legislation contained therein. (5) Despite anything in section 15, the Commissioners may from time to time cause to be published a revised edition in any form (including in electronic form) that they may decide — ( a ) of all subsidiary legislation made under or by virtue of any Act; or ( b ) of any single piece of subsidiary legislation, whether or not it has been amended after it came into force and whether or not it is made under or by virtue of any Act. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (6) [ Deleted by Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025 ] (7) In the preparation of a revised edition of subsidiary legislation under subsection (5), the Commissioners — ( a ) have the like powers to do all things as are conferred upon them by section 15(2) and (3); and ( b ) may include any notes, indexes, instructions or other information that they consider useful. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (8) With effect from such date as the Commissioners may specify by notification in the Gazette — ( a ) any revised edition of subsidiary legislation mentioned in subsection (5)( a ) is, in all courts and for all purposes, the sole and only proper Statute Book of Singapore in respect of those subsidiary legislation; and ( b ) any revised edition of any single piece of subsidiary legislation mentioned in subsection (5)( b ) is, in all courts and for all purposes, the sole and only proper Statute Book of Singapore in respect of that piece of subsidiary legislation. [2/2012]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s17A
chapter: PART 5 - SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 17A
title: Electronic versions of revised editions to be prima facie evidence of proper law, etc.
content:
17A. —(1) A revised edition of any material published in electronic form under this Act (including under section 11A(1) as in force before the appointed date) is, in all courts and for all purposes, prima facie evidence of the proper law of Singapore in respect of that material. (2) To the extent of any inconsistency, the revised edition of any material published in electronic form under this Act on or after the appointed date prevails over the same revised edition published in print under this Act on or after that date. (3) To the extent of any inconsistency, the revised edition of any material published in print under this Act before the appointed date prevails over the same revised edition published in electronic form under this Act before that date. (4) In this section — “appointed date” means the date of commencement of section 3( m ) of the Electronic Gazette and Legislation Act 2025; “material” means any Act, subsidiary legislation, treaty, convention or other instrument. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s18
chapter: PART 5 - SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 18
title: Complementary matter in revised edition of Acts
content:
18. —(1) The revised edition of Acts may also contain a reprint of such other statutes, orders in council, treaties, conventions and other instruments, enactments and such indexes, notes and references as the Commissioners consider useful to include. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (2) When any statutes, orders in council, treaties, conventions, instruments or enactments are reprinted pursuant to subsection (1), the provisions of the statutes, orders in council, treaties, conventions, instruments or enactments may be reproduced with such amendments as may have been made thereto by any other statutes, orders in council, treaties, conventions, instruments or enactments; and where any statutes, orders in council, treaties, conventions, instruments or enactments have been applied or extended to Singapore with modifications, the provisions of those statutes, orders in council, treaties, conventions, instruments or enactments may be reproduced with those modifications. (3) The Commissioners may also cause the reprint mentioned in subsection (1) to be published in such number of separate booklets, in the manner prescribed by section 10, or in such other form as they consider convenient.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s19
chapter: PART 5 - SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 19
title: Effect of repealed or omitted Acts
content:
19. —(1) The repeal or omission from the revised edition of Acts of any Act repealed or omitted during and for the purpose of the preparation of the revised edition of Acts, does not affect the validity of any existing resolutions of Parliament, or any proclamations, rules, regulations, orders, notifications, by‑laws or other instruments made under any Acts or other lawful authority and having legislative effect, made under any Act so repealed or omitted. (2) The proclamations, rules, regulations, orders, notifications, by‑laws or other instruments made under any such Acts or other lawful authority and having legislative effect, so far as they are not inconsistent with any Act for the time being in force, continue in force until otherwise provided.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s20
chapter: PART 5 - SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 20
title: Construction of references to Acts and subsidiary legislation revised under this Act
content:
20. —(1) Where in any written law or other instrument or document reference is made to any Act or any provision of any Act affected by or under the operation of this Act, that reference is, where necessary and practicable, to be construed as a reference to that Act or to the corresponding provision of that Act in the revised edition of Acts or in any subsequent revision of Acts made pursuant to section 10. [4/2021] (2) Where in any written law or other instrument or document reference is made to any subsidiary legislation or any provision of any subsidiary legislation affected by or under the operation of this Act, that reference is, where necessary and practicable, to be construed as a reference to that subsidiary legislation or to the corresponding provision of that subsidiary legislation in the relevant revised edition of subsidiary legislation. [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] 21. [ Repealed by Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025 ] 22. [ Repealed by Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025 ]


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s23
chapter: PART 5 - SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 23
title: Rectification of errors
content:
23. —(1) The Commissioners may, by order in the Gazette , rectify any clerical or publication error appearing in — ( a ) the revised edition of Acts or in any new or revised edition of any Act, treaty, convention or other instrument published pursuant to section 10; or ( b ) any revised edition of subsidiary legislation issued under section 15 or in any new or revised edition of any piece of subsidiary legislation published pursuant to section 17, [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024] or rectify in a manner not inconsistent with the powers of revision conferred by this Act any other error so appearing. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (2) Every order made under section (1)( a ) must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication.


document_id: rela-1983
provision_ref: s24
chapter: PART 5 - SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
section: 24
title: Expenses of revision
content:
24. The expenses of and incidental to the preparation and publication of the revised edition of Acts and any subsequent revision of Acts made pursuant to section 10 and any revised edition of subsidiary legislation are to be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament. [4/2021] [Act 32 of 2024 wef 25/11/2024]


document_id: rfo-1948
provision_ref: s2
section: 2
title: The Titular Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers in the Colony of Singapore to be a body corporate
content:
2. —(1) The Reverend Father William Dowling the Titular Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers in the Colony of Singapore, and his successors in office, shall be a body corporate (hereinafter called “the Corporation”), and shall for the purposes of this Ordinance, have the name of “The Titular Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers in Singapore”, and by that name, have perpetual succession, and shall and may have and use a corporate seal. (2) The said seal may from time to time be broken, changed and altered, and made anew as to the Corporation seems fit. (3) The expression “successors in office” shall be deemed to include the Reverend Father Minister from the time when the office of “The Titular Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers in Singapore” becomes vacant by the resignation or death of the holder for the time being, until the formal assumption of office by his successor.


document_id: rfo-1948
provision_ref: s3
section: 3
title: Power to acquire and dispose of property
content:
3. —(1) The Corporation may acquire, purchase, take, hold and enjoy movable and immovable property of every description, and may sell, convey, assign, exchange, surrender, yield up, mortgage, demise, re-assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any movable or immovable property vested in the Corporation upon such terms as to the Corporation seem fit. (2) The Corporation may sue and be sued in respect of such property in any of the Courts of the Colony of Singapore.


document_id: rfo-1948
provision_ref: s4
section: 4
title: Use of corporate seal
content:
4. —(1) All deeds, documents and other instruments requiring the seal of the Corporation shall be sealed with the seal of the Corporation in the presence of the Titular Superior for the time being of the Redemptorist Fathers in Singapore, or when the office is vacant in the presence of the Reverend Father Minister, as the case may be, or the attorney of any one of them duly authorised by a power of attorney deposited under section 48 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1886, and shall also be signed by the said Titular Superior for the time being of the Redemptorist Fathers in Singapore or by the said Reverend Father Minister, as the case may be, or the attorney of any one of them so authorised as aforesaid. (2) Such signing shall be and be taken as sufficient evidence that the said seal was duly and properly affixed, and that the same is the lawful seal of the Corporation.


document_id: rfo-1948
provision_ref: s5
section: 5
title: Notification of appointment of Titular Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers
content:
5. A notification in the Gazette of the appointment of any person to exercise the office of Titular Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers in the Colony of Singapore, or of Reverend Father Minister, as the case may be, shall be conclusive evidence that such person was duly authorised to exercise the said office in the Colony.


document_id: rfo-1948
provision_ref: s6
section: 6
title: Saving of Government and other rights
content:
6. Nothing in this Ordinance shall affect the rights of the Government, all bodies politic and corporate, and all others, except such as are mentioned in this Ordinance and those claiming by, from or under them. [7/97]


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s2
section: 2
title: Interpretation
content:
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “Board” means the Enterprise Singapore Board established by section 3 of the Enterprise Singapore Board Act 2018; “deal” means to broke in, purchase or sell rubber but does not include the purchase, sale or brokerage of rubber by means of a commodity futures contract within the meaning of the Commodity Trading Act 1992; “licence” means a licence granted under section 4; “licensee” means any person who holds a licence granted under this Act; “rubber” means marketable rubber prepared from the leaves, bark or latex of any rubber plant, but does not include any manufactured article made wholly or partly of rubber; “rubber plant” includes any of the following plants: ( a ) Heavea brasiliensis (Para rubber); ( b ) Manihot glaziovii (Ceara rubber); ( c ) Castilloa elastica; ( d ) Ficus elastica (Rambong); and ( e ) any other plant which the Minister may, by notification in the Gazette , declare to be a rubber plant for the purposes of this Act; “to pack rubber for export” means to pack rubber in Singapore for export to any country or place; “to ship rubber for export” means to ship rubber in Singapore for export to any country or place; “treat” means to subject to any process whatsoever; “Singapore Rubber Fund” means the Singapore Rubber Fund established under section 14 of the repealed Rubber Association of Singapore (Incorporation) Act (Cap. 278, 1985 Revised Edition) and administered by the Board under section 39 of the Enterprise Singapore Board Act 2018. [10/2018]


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s3
section: 3
title: Licence to pack, ship or deal in rubber or manufacture technically specified rubber
content:
3. —(1) A person must not — ( a ) pack rubber for export; ( b ) ship rubber for export; ( c ) manufacture or otherwise produce technically specified rubber; or ( d ) deal in, treat or store rubber, unless the person is for the time being the holder of a valid licence granted under this Act authorising the person to do so or is a person employed by the holder of such a licence. (2) For the purposes of this section, a person is deemed to have packed rubber for export if it is packed in any manner usually employed in Singapore when packing rubber for export. (3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both. (4) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who ships rubber for export if the person is the holder of a licence issued to the person under the provisions of the Malaysian Rubber Board (Incorporation) Act 1996. (5) Subsection (4) has force and effect only so long as reciprocal arrangements exist between Singapore and Malaysia by which a licence to ship rubber for export granted under this Act is deemed to be a valid licence to ship rubber for export issued by the competent authority in Malaysia under the provisions of the Malaysian Rubber Board (Incorporation) Act 1996 or any other written law which repeals and re-enacts, with or without modifications, that Act.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s4
section: 4
title: Application for a licence
content:
4. —(1) Any person who desires to obtain a licence must make an application in the prescribed manner to the Board for the grant of a licence. (2) Upon receiving an application under subsection (1), the Board must consider the application and may grant a licence for a period of one year at a time, with or without conditions, or refuse to grant a licence. (3) The Board must refuse to grant a licence if — ( a ) satisfactory evidence has not been produced to show that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence; ( b ) the applicant or, if the applicant is a company, any of its officers holding a managerial or executive position has been convicted of any offence involving dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude; or ( c ) the Board considers it in the public interest to do so. (4) A person who is not an incorporated person may not be licensed under this section unless the person is registered under a registered business name under the Business Names Registration Act 2014. [29/2014] (5) Every licensee must pay such annual licence fee as may be prescribed.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s5
section: 5
title: Modification of licence conditions
content:
5. —(1) The Board may at any time vary or revoke any of the existing conditions of a licence granted under section 4 or impose conditions or additional conditions on the licence. (2) The Board must, before taking any action under subsection (1), notify its intention to take such action to the licensee concerned and must give the licensee an opportunity to submit reasons why the conditions of the licence should not be so varied or revoked. (3) Where a licence is subject to conditions, the licensee must comply with those conditions.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s6
section: 6
title: Renewal of licence
content:
6. —(1) An application to renew a licence must be made to the Board one month before the expiry of the licence. (2) The Board may refuse to renew a licence if it is of the opinion that the holder of the licence has contravened or failed to comply with any of the conditions of the licence or the provisions of this Act or any regulations or by‑laws made under this Act. (3) Where the Board is of the opinion that a licence should not be renewed, the Board must notify the holder of the licence in writing of its intention and give the holder a reasonable opportunity of being heard.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s7
section: 7
title: Appeal to Minister
content:
7. Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Board under section 4, 5 or 6 may, within one month of being notified of the decision, appeal against that decision to the Minister whose decision is final.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s8
section: 8
title: False statement
content:
8. Any person who, in connection with an application for a licence under section 4 or for the renewal of a licence under section 6, wilfully makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular knowing it to be false or misleading or wilfully omits to state any matter or thing without which the application is misleading in a material respect shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s9
section: 9
title: Display of licence
content:
9. Every licensee must cause the licence to be displayed in a conspicuous place on the premises where the licensee is carrying on the business of packing or shipping rubber for export or dealing in, treating or storing rubber or manufacturing technically specified rubber, as the case may be.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s10
section: 10
title: Inspection of premises
content:
10. —(1) Every licensee must allow at all reasonable times the inspection of the premises in which the licensee is carrying on the business of packing rubber for export or dealing in, treating or storing rubber or manufacturing technically specified rubber (as the case may be) by any officer of the Board authorised in writing in that behalf by the Board. (2) Every licensee must, on demand being made in that behalf by any such authorised officer, produce for inspection — ( a ) such books and other documents as are reasonably necessary to enable that officer to ascertain if the provisions of this Act or any regulations or by‑laws made under this Act have been and are being complied with; and ( b ) all rubber on such premises. (3) Any person who, without lawful excuse, fails to produce any such books, documents or rubber upon demand being made in that behalf by any such officer as aforesaid shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s11
section: 11
title: Suspension or cancellation of licence, etc.
content:
11. —(1) If the Board is satisfied that a person who is granted a licence under section 4 is contravening, or has contravened and is likely again to contravene, any of the conditions of the licence or the provisions of this Act or any regulations or by‑laws made under this Act, the Board may, by written notice and without any compensation, do any of the following: ( a ) revoke the person’s licence; ( b ) suspend the person’s licence for such period as the Board may determine; ( c ) in the event of an order of suspension being made under paragraph ( b ), prohibit the renewal of the person’s licence for such period as the Board may determine; ( d ) impose a fine not exceeding $25,000, which is recoverable in the same manner as a judgment debt; ( e ) require such person, as security for the person’s future compliance with any of the provisions of this Act or any regulations or by‑laws made under this Act, to deposit or give a bank guarantee for any sum not exceeding $25,000 for such period as the Board may determine, and any such sum or guarantee must be deposited with or given (as the case may be) to the Board; ( f ) warn the person of the consequences of a further contravention; and ( g ) order such person to pay to the Board a sum not exceeding $5,000 to cover the costs incurred by the Board as a result of the contravention by that person. (2) The Board must not proceed under subsection (1) without first giving the licensee a reasonable opportunity of being heard. (3) The amount of any fine imposed under subsection (1)( d ) must be paid into the Singapore Rubber Fund. (4) Execution of any decision of the Board conveyed in the notice given under subsection (1) must be stayed pending the expiry of the period within which a notice of appeal under section 12 may be given or the decision on such appeal, as the case may be.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s12
section: 12
title: Appeal from decision of Board
content:
12. —(1) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Board under section 11(1) may appeal to the Appeal Tribunal established under section 13. (2) Written notice of such appeal together with the grounds of the appeal must be given to the Appeal Tribunal within 14 days of the receipt by the person aggrieved of the notice given under section 11(1), and a copy of the notice of appeal and the grounds of the appeal must be served upon the Board by the appellant. (3) Every notice given to the Appeal Tribunal under subsection (2) must be sent to such address in Singapore as may be specified by the Appeal Tribunal. (4) The appellant may, if the appellant so desires, be present at the hearing of the appellant’s appeal and may be heard either in person or by any person authorised by the appellant in that behalf. (5) At the hearing of an appeal, the Appeal Tribunal may allow the appeal, confirm or vary, within the limits specified in section 11(1), the decision of the Board, and any decision of the Appeal Tribunal is final and conclusive and is enforceable in the same manner as a decision of the Board. (6) The Appeal Tribunal is to regulate its own procedure at the hearing of any such appeal and is not bound by any law or rule of practice relating to the admissibility of evidence. (7) The Appeal Tribunal may extend any limit of time fixed for the giving of a notice of appeal.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s13
section: 13
title: Appeal Tribunal
content:
13. —(1) For the purposes of section 12, there is established an Appeal Tribunal, which consists of a Chairperson, who must be an individual qualified to be appointed as a Supreme Court Judge and 2 other individuals, all of whom are to be appointed by the Minister for a term of at least one year and not more than 3 years. [40/2019] (2) The Appeal Tribunal may make rules governing the fees payable to the Board and the procedure to be followed on appeals under section 12.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s14
section: 14
title: Powers of Board in relation to rubber industry
content:
14. The Board, its officers and agents may, for the purposes of promoting, supporting, developing, regulating and maintaining the rubber trade and industry in general, particularly as regards the national and individual interests therein — ( a ) conduct a market in Singapore for the sale, purchase and brokerage of rubber and make such arrangements and regulations as may be considered desirable for the proper conduct of the trade and commerce in and for the marketing and distribution of rubber, and for those purposes to secure that such trade, marketing and distribution are so far as possible carried on through the market established by, and under the arrangements and regulations from time to time formulated by, or with the approval of, the Board; ( b ) provide means to facilitate the business and the transaction of the business of the trade, and to set up forms of contract for the transaction of business between licensees and between licensees and others; ( c ) inspect, sample and grade rubber in any part of the world in such manner as may be considered expedient; and ( d ) act as arbitrator and appoint arbitrators and umpires in any dispute affecting rubber or any packing, shipping or dealing therein and otherwise to make arrangements to settle disputes by arbitration.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s15
section: 15
title: Directions of Minister
content:
15. The Minister may issue general directions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act regarding the administration of this Act and the Board must comply with those directions.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s16
section: 16
title: Entry of premises by officer of Board and seizure of article as evidence
content:
16. Any officer of the Board duly authorised in writing in that behalf may enter at all reasonable times any premises or place in which he or she has reasonable cause to believe there is evidence of a contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or any regulations made under this Act, and may search the premises or place and seize any article found in the premises or place that may be reasonably necessary as evidence in connection with the contravention.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s17
section: 17
title: Officer of Board to produce authority for inspection
content:
17. Any officer of the Board entering any premises or place in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act must produce, for the inspection of the person in charge of the premises or place or (in the person’s absence) that person’s agent, the officer’s authority for such entry.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s18
section: 18
title: Personal immunity of members and officers of Board
content:
18. A member, an officer or an agent of the Board shall not be personally liable for an act or default of the Board done or omitted to be done in good faith and without negligence in the course of carrying out the functions vested in the Board under this Act.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s19
section: 19
title: Revenue of Board
content:
19. The fees and other sums paid to the Board under this Act must be paid into the Singapore Rubber Fund and any expenses incurred by the Board in the administration of this Act may be paid out of moneys in the Fund.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s20
section: 20
title: Obstructing officers of Board
content:
20. Any person who obstructs or hinders the Chairperson, the chief executive officer or an officer or agent of the Board acting in the discharge of his, her or its duty under this Act or any regulations made under this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s21
section: 21
title: Proceedings to be conducted by officers of Board
content:
21. Any proceedings in respect of an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act may, with the authorisation of the Public Prosecutor, be conducted by an officer of the Board or an officer of the Government authorised in writing in that behalf by the chief executive officer of the Board. [15/2010]


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s22
section: 22
title: Consent of Public Prosecutor
content:
22. A court is not to try an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act except with the consent of the Public Prosecutor. [15/2010]


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s23
section: 23
title: General penalties and composition of offences
content:
23. —(1) A person who commits an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act for which no penalty is expressly provided shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both. (2) The Board or any person authorised by the Board in writing may compound any offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act which is prescribed as a compoundable offence by collecting from a person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding $2,000. (3) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations to prescribe the offences which may be compounded. (4) All sums collected under this section must be paid to the Board.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s24
section: 24
title: Offence by body corporate
content:
24. Where an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act is committed by a body corporate and it is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to an act or default on the part of, a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he or she as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s25
section: 25
title: Jurisdiction of Magistrate’s Court and District Court
content:
25. Despite anything in any other written law, a Magistrate’s Court or a District Court has power to try any offence under this Act and to impose the full penalty prescribed for the offence.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s26
section: 26
title: Regulations
content:
26. —(1) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations — ( a ) regulating the packing, grading and shipping of rubber; ( b ) regulating the dealing, treatment or storage of rubber; ( c ) for the purpose of ensuring that the quality of rubber to be exported is of the standard required by the contract governing the transaction and for the prevention of fraud or malpractices in connection therewith, and prescribing the marks to be stamped or otherwise inscribed on rubber packed or shipped for export or on technically specified rubber; ( d ) regulating the manufacture of technically specified rubber and to prescribe the specifications for technically specified rubber; ( e ) prescribing the testing and quality control procedures to be adopted and followed by manufacturers of technically specified rubber; ( f ) prescribing the conditions upon which any licence or a class of licences is issued under this Act; ( g ) for the purpose of further securing the effectual control of the sale, purchase, storage and disposal of rubber and the prevention of fraud in connection therewith; ( h ) providing for the form and manner in which accounts and records are to be kept; ( i ) for the maintenance of proper standards of conduct in the carrying on of the rubber trade and industry and to deal with infringements thereof; ( j ) providing for the audit and presentation of accounts; ( k ) prescribing anything which may be prescribed under the provisions of this Act; ( l ) prescribing the fees for licences granted under this Act; ( m ) providing for the form and manner in which a register of licensees is to be kept for the purposes of this Act; ( n ) providing for the determination and designing by the Board of forms for the purposes of this Act and any regulations made under this Act; ( o ) prescribing the fees and travelling and subsistence allowances to be paid to the Chairperson and members of the Appeal Tribunal; and ( p ) generally for the better carrying out of the purposes of this Act. (2) Regulations made under subsection (1) must be published in the Gazette .


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s27
section: 27
title: By-laws
content:
27. —(1) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, make and enforce in such manner as may seem expedient by-laws as to the conduct of the rubber trade and industry, and the terms and conditions on which it is to be carried on, and for the maintenance of proper standards of conduct in the carrying on of such trade and industry, and the regulation of transactions between licensees and between licensees and others. (2) Any by-laws made by the Board pursuant to subsection (1) is deemed not to be subsidiary legislation.


document_id: ria-1992
provision_ref: s28
section: 28
title: Exemption
content:
28. The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, if it considers it to be in the public interest and not inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, exempt any person from all or any of the provisions of this Act and may revoke any such exemption.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s2
chapter: PART 1 - PRELIMINARY
section: 2
title: Interpretation
content:
2. —(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “aircraft” means aircraft of any description which may be used for the conveyance of persons or goods by air; “authentication code” means any identification or identifying code, password or any other authentication method or procedure which has been assigned to a registered user of the computer service mentioned in section 8 for the purpose of identifying and authenticating the access to and use of the computer service by the registered user; “authorised officer” means — ( a ) any officer of customs; ( b ) any senior authorised officer; ( c ) any officer of the Board appointed in writing by the Director‑General; or ( d ) any officer or class or description of officers appointed under section 2A(3); [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] “Board” means the Enterprise Singapore Board established by section 3 of the Enterprise Singapore Board Act 2018; “conveyance” includes any vessel, train, vehicle or aircraft in which persons or goods can be carried; “database report” means any automatic log, journal or other report which is automatically generated by the computer service mentioned in section 8 for the purposes of recording the details of a transaction relating to an electronic notice including the authentication code, date and time of receipt, storage location and any alteration or deletion relating to the notice; “Director-General” means the Director-General of Customs appointed under section 4(1) of the Customs Act 1960; “electronic notice” has the meaning given by section 8(1); “examination station” means any place which has been prescribed under section 143(1)( d ) of the Customs Act 1960 as a customs office or customs station for the examination of goods or any place or premises as may be determined by a senior authorised officer for the examination of goods; “export” means to take or cause to be taken out of Singapore by land, water or air and includes the placing of any goods in a conveyance for the purpose of the goods being taken out of Singapore but does not include the taking out from Singapore of any goods on the same conveyance on which they were brought into Singapore unless such goods after being brought into Singapore have been landed or transhipped within Singapore; “goods” means any movable or personal property whatsoever but does not include choses in action and money (except for a collector’s piece, an investment article or item of numismatic interest and currency notes imported or exported in substantial quantities); “import” means to bring or cause to be brought into Singapore by land, water or air from any place which is outside Singapore but does not include the bringing into Singapore of goods which are to be taken out of Singapore on the same conveyance on which they were brought into Singapore without any landing or transhipment within Singapore; “master” includes every person, having or taking command or charge of a vessel, except a pilot of a vessel holding a licence under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act 1996 when acting in the course of his or her duties; “officer of customs” has the meaning given by the Customs Act 1960; “pilot of an aircraft” means every person having or taking command or charge of an aircraft; “police officer” means any member of the Singapore Police Force; “registered user” means a person who has been registered with and authorised by the Director-General to gain access to and use the computer service mentioned in section 8; “relevant decision of the United Nations Security Council” means any decision of the United Nations Security Council in resolutions made under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations signed at San Francisco on 26 June 1945; “senior authorised officer” means — ( a ) any senior officer of customs; ( b ) any officer of the Board appointed in writing by the Director‑General; ( c ) any police officer; or ( d ) any officer or class or description of officers appointed under section 2A(4); [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] “senior officer of customs” has the meaning given by the Customs Act 1960; “shipped as ships’ stores” means loaded for use as stores on a voyage or flight to or from a destination outside Singapore or as merchandise for sale by retail to persons carried on such voyage or flight in a ship or an aircraft; “tranship” means to remove goods from one conveyance to another for the purpose of taking them out of Singapore; “transit” means to bring goods into Singapore from a place outside Singapore for the purpose of taking them out of Singapore on the same conveyance on which they were brought into Singapore; “vehicle” includes any vehicle in which persons or goods can be carried by land however drawn or propelled or set or kept in motion; “vessel” includes any ship or boat or other description of vessel used in navigation. [6/2003; 17/2002; 10/2018; 16/2018] (2) In this Act, any reference to a document or record includes, in addition to a document or record on paper, a reference to any, or part of any — ( a ) document or record kept on any magnetic, optical, chemical or other medium; ( b ) photograph; ( c ) map, plan, graph, picture or drawing; or ( d ) film (including a microfilm and a microfiche), negative, disc, tape, soundtrack or any other device in which one or more visual images, sounds or other data are embodied so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced therefrom. (3) In this Act, any reference to a document or record in writing or the making of a document or record in writing, unless the context otherwise requires, includes any electronic notice, or the making, serving or submitting of such a notice under the provisions of this Act or any regulations made under this Act.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s2A
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 2A
title: Administration of Act and delegation of powers
content:
2A. —(1) The Director-General is responsible for the administration of this Act and any regulations made under this Act, subject to the general or special directions of the Minister. [6/2003] (2) The Director-General may delegate the exercise of all or any of the powers conferred or duties imposed upon him or her by this Act or any regulations made under this Act to any senior authorised officer or any authorised officer. [6/2003] (3) The Minister may appoint any officer or class or description of officers to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed on an authorised officer by this Act. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (4) The Minister may appoint any officer or class or description of officers to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed on a senior authorised officer by this Act. [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025] (5) An appointment under subsection (3) or (4) must be published in the Gazette . [Act 5 of 2025 wef 09/03/2025]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s3
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 3
title: Regulations for registration, regulation and control of importation and exportation, etc.
content:
3. —(1) The Minister may make regulations for the registration, regulation and control of all or any class of goods imported into, exported from, transhipped in or in transit through Singapore. [6/2003] (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Minister may make regulations — ( a ) for prohibiting, absolutely or conditionally, or for regulating, in all cases or in any specified case or class of cases and subject to such exceptions as may be made by the regulations, the import or export or the carriage coastwise or the shipment as ships’ stores or the transhipment or transit of all goods or of goods of any specified class or description; ( b ) for imposing on such importers, exporters, agents, forwarding agents, common carriers, consignors or consignees of goods or on owners, agents, masters or persons in charge of a conveyance as may be prescribed in the regulations, the duty to furnish — (i) to the Director-General; or (ii) to the owner, agent, master or person in charge of a conveyance, or to a railway station-master or to such other person as may be prescribed, such particulars, information or documents relating to goods imported into, exported from, transhipped in or in transit through Singapore as may be prescribed; ( c ) for permitting the Director-General to authorise, in any manner that may be prescribed, the importation, exportation, transhipment or transit of goods in regard to which the required particulars, information or documents have been furnished; ( d ) for prohibiting the importation, exportation, transhipment or transit of goods, or the delivery of goods or of documents relating to those goods, except in compliance with the regulations or with the approval of the Director‑General; ( e ) for prohibiting the exportation of all goods or goods of any specified class or description except in compliance with any conditions that may be prescribed for the purpose of complying with any preferential tariff arrangement or agreement between Singapore and a country or territory outside Singapore, including any condition that the goods exported are to be from a prescribed source or that the manufacture of the goods is to be carried out or procured by any person registered under regulations made under this Act; ( f ) for requiring the owner or agent of any conveyance to furnish particulars of coal, oil or other fuel or stores placed on board that conveyance in Singapore; ( g ) for determining the form and manner in which the required particulars, information and documents must be furnished; ( h ) for prescribing the time within which the required particulars, information and documents must be furnished; ( i ) for requiring the master of any vessel to attend at an examination station or the office of the Port Master, and to furnish any particulars, information and documents, that may be prescribed; ( j ) for prohibiting the issue of a port clearance to the master of any vessel pending compliance with any provision of the regulations; ( k ) for the registration of all or any class of goods that may be prescribed, imported into, exported from, transhipped in or in transit through Singapore; ( l ) for the registration of importers, exporters, common carriers of goods or any person making a declaration under this Act or any regulations made under this Act; ( m ) for the issue of certificates of entitlement to permits for the export or import of any classes of goods, that are prescribed, to successful applicants who submitted bids for the certificates; ( n ) for requiring fees and deposits to be paid for the submission of applications for the issue of certificates of entitlement under any regulations made under paragraph ( m ), and providing for the forfeiture of deposits for non-compliance with any of the conditions governing the submission of such applications; ( o ) for prescribing the levy, or the method or manner for determining the amount of the levy, payable for the import or export of different classes of goods or for a certificate of entitlement issued under any regulations made under paragraph ( m ) and for prescribing the manner or method in which the levy must be paid; ( p ) for requiring security to be provided to secure compliance with this Act, any regulations made under this Act or any condition imposed under this Act or its regulations, and to make provision for the form, manner, amount, period and forfeiture of the security; ( q ) for prescribing the fees and charges, or the method or manner for determining the amount of the fees or charges, payable by virtue of any regulations made under this section, and for prescribing the manner or method in which the fees or charges must be paid; ( r ) for prescribing the fees to be charged for services and facilities provided by the Director‑General; ( s ) for the bringing of appeals to the Minister in respect of any matter mentioned in this Act or any regulations made under this Act, and the procedure for those appeals; and ( t ) for prescribing anything which is required to be prescribed under this Act or which is necessary or expedient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Act. [6/2003; 28/2003; 3/2014] (3) The Minister may, in making any regulations under subsection (2), provide that any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision thereof shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction — ( a ) in respect of a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or 3 times the value of the goods in respect of which the offence was committed, whichever is the greater, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both; and ( b ) in respect of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $200,000 or 4 times the value of the goods in respect of which the offence was committed, whichever is the greater, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both. [6/2003] (4) All such regulations must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette .


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s4
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 4
title: Interpretation of section 3
content:
4. —(1) Any regulations made under section 3 are, unless the contrary is expressly stated, deemed to be additional to, and not in substitution for, the provisions of any other written law for the time being in force. (2) To avoid doubt, it is declared that the taking into or out of Singapore of any ship, aircraft or vehicle may be prohibited or regulated by any regulations made under section 3 as an importation or exportation of goods, even though the ship, aircraft or vehicle is conveying goods or passengers, and whether or not it is moving under its own power.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s5
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 5
title: Exemption
content:
5. The Minister may either generally or in any particular case, and either permanently or for any period or periods that he or she may think fit, exempt, subject to any conditions that he or she thinks fit, any person or class of persons, or any conveyance or class of conveyance, or any goods or class of goods from all or any of the provisions of this Act or any regulations made under this Act.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s6
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 6
title: Provisions as to issue and cancellation of licences, etc.
content:
6. —(1) Where provision is made by any regulations made under section 3 for the issue of any certificate, licence or permit by the Director‑General, the Director‑General may, if he or she thinks fit and subject to any express provision to the contrary contained in the regulations, make provisions — ( a ) as to the issue and terms of the certificate, licence or permit and as to the cancellation or suspension thereof at any time; ( b ) as to the conditions to be attached to the issue of the certificate, licence or permit and the cancellation or variation from time to time of those conditions; and ( c ) for the refund of all or part of any levy or fee paid for the issue of the certificate, licence or permit in such circumstances as may be permitted in the regulations. [6/2003] (2) Without prejudice to subsection (1)( a ), any authorised officer may at any time cancel the certificate, licence or permit if — ( a ) any condition of the certificate, licence or permit is contravened; or ( b ) the officer is satisfied that the certificate, licence or permit was issued as a result of any declaration, statement, representation or information which is false in a material particular. [6/2003]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s7
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 7
title: Procedure for cancellation, etc., of certificate, licence or permit
content:
7. —(1) Cancellation, suspension or variation of the condition of any certificate, licence or permit, issued by virtue of any regulations made under section 3, may be effected by endorsement thereof on the certificate, licence or permit, or by service of a written notice of the cancellation, suspension or variation on the holder of the certificate, licence or permit. (2) If any such certificate, licence or permit is cancelled or suspended, the holder thereof must, unless it has otherwise been lawfully disposed of, surrender it forthwith to the authorised officer who cancelled or suspended it. [6/2003] (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a certificate, licence or permit issued by an electronic notice transmitted in accordance with section 8. (4) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s8
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 8
title: Computer service
content:
8. —(1) The Director‑General may establish or operate a computer service and make provision for any bid, certificate, declaration, direction, list, manifest, notice, permit, receipt, return or other document required or authorised by this Act or any regulations made under this Act to be made, served or submitted by electronic transmission (called in this Act an electronic notice). [6/2003] (2) A registered user may, in accordance with the regulations made under subsection (11), make and serve an electronic notice to the computer account of the Director‑General. [6/2003] (3) The Director‑General or any person authorised by him or her may, in accordance with the regulations made under subsection (11), make and serve an electronic notice to the computer account of a registered user. [6/2003] (4) Where an electronic notice is transmitted to the computer account of the Director‑General using the authentication code assigned to a registered user — ( a ) with or without the authority of the registered user; and ( b ) before the notification to the Director‑General by the registered user in the prescribed manner, of cancellation of the authentication code, that notice is, for the purposes of this Act or any regulations made under this Act, presumed to be made by the registered user unless the registered user adduces evidence to the contrary; and where the registered user alleges that the registered user has transmitted no such notice, the burden is also on the registered user to adduce evidence of that fact. [6/2003] (5) For the purposes of this Act, an electronic notice or a copy thereof is not inadmissible in evidence merely on the basis that it was transmitted without the making or delivery of any equivalent document or counterpart in paper form. (6) Despite any other written law, in any proceedings under this Act or any regulations made under this Act, an electronic notice or a copy thereof (including a print‑out of that notice or copy) or any database report (including a print‑out of that report) relating to that notice — ( a ) certified by an authorised officer to contain all or any information transmitted in accordance with this section; and ( b ) duly authenticated in the manner specified in subsection (7) or is otherwise duly authenticated by showing that there is no material discrepancy between the electronic notice or copy thereof certified by an authorised officer and the copy of the same electronic notice kept by an independent record keeper appointed under any regulations made under subsection (11), is admissible as evidence of the facts stated or contained therein. [6/2003] (7) For the purposes of this section, a certificate — ( a ) giving the authentication code and other particulars of any user and device (if known) involved in the production and transmission of, and identifying the nature of, the electronic notice or a copy thereof; and ( b ) purporting to be signed by an authorised officer or by a person occupying a responsible position in relation to the operation of the computer service at the relevant time, is sufficient evidence that the electronic notice or the copy thereof has been duly authenticated, unless the court, in its discretion, calls for further evidence on this issue. [6/2003] (8) Where an electronic notice or a copy thereof is admissible under subsection (6), it is presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the contents of the electronic notice or the copy thereof have been accurately transmitted. (9) The Director-General may, for the purpose of facilitating any electronic transmission under this section, approve the use in any such electronic transmission of symbols, codes, abbreviations or other notations to represent any particulars or information required under this Act or any regulations made under this Act. [6/2003] (10) Despite section 31, any authorised officer or any person being employed or engaged in the administration of this Act or any regulations made under this Act is not to be treated as having contravened section 31 merely because he or she communicates to the independent record keeper or the independent record keeper’s employee or permits the independent record keeper or the independent record keeper’s employee to have access to any electronic notice or any information contained therein; and section 31 applies to the independent record keeper and the independent record keeper’s employee as if they were persons employed in the administration of this Act. (11) The Minister may make regulations — ( a ) prescribing the conditions for subscription to the computer service, including the manner in which the authentication codes are to be assigned; ( b ) prescribing the bids, certificates, declarations, directions, lists, manifests, notices, permits, receipts, returns, statements or any other document which may be transmitted through the computer service including the form and manner in which they are to be transmitted; ( c ) for the correction of errors in or amendments to electronic notices; ( d ) prescribing the procedure for use of the computer service including the procedure in circumstances where there is a breakdown or interruption in the service; ( e ) for the appointment of an independent record keeper to be charged with the duty to maintain for a prescribed period a record of all the electronic notices and transactions made through it between the Director‑General and the registered users, such a duty to include keeping the database reports; ( f ) for the independent record keeper to produce a copy of the relevant record pertaining to any electronic notice or a copy thereof to either the Director‑General or the registered user, whose electronic notice is in issue, when requested by either party to do so; ( g ) for the standards of security, confidentiality, data integrity and conduct of the computer service and for the review of the operations and activities of the data service provider by such authority or expert as may be prescribed; and ( h ) generally for the better provision of the computer service. [6/2003]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s9
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 9
title: Service of notices
content:
9. —(1) Every notice, requisition or document required by this Act or any regulations made under this Act to be served on any person may be served — ( a ) by delivering the notice, requisition or document to the person; ( b ) by sending the notice, requisition or document by registered post addressed to the person at the person’s usual or last known place of residence or place of business; ( c ) where the person is a body of persons or a company — (i) by delivering the notice, requisition or document to the secretary or other like officer of the body of persons or company at its registered office or principal place of business; or (ii) by sending the notice, requisition or document addressed to the body of persons or company at its registered office or principal place of business; or ( d ) by an electronic notice transmitted in accordance with section 8. (2) Any notice, requisition or document sent by registered post to any person in accordance with subsection (1) is deemed to be duly served on the person to whom the letter is addressed at the time when the letter would in the ordinary course of post be delivered and in proving service of such notice, requisition or document it is sufficient to prove that the envelope containing the notice, requisition or document was properly addressed, stamped and posted by registered post.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s10
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 10
title: Classification of goods
content:
10. Any officer of customs may certify in writing under his or her hand that any goods examined by him or her are goods of a particular category or description and thereupon the goods are, for the purposes of this Act and any regulations made under this Act presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to be goods of that category or description. [6/2003]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s11
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 11
title: Power to require production of licence or permit
content:
11. —(1) The holder of any current licence or permit issued under any regulations made under section 3 must, unless the holder has lawfully parted with possession of it, produce the licence or permit on demand to any authorised officer. (2) Any person who fails to comply with this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s12
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 12
title: Seizure of goods in certain cases
content:
12. —(1) A senior authorised officer may seize any goods in respect of which he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act has been or is being committed. (2) All such goods must be delivered as soon as possible into the custody of the Director‑General and must be detained in custody pending an order of the court in regard to the disposal thereof made under this Act. [6/2003] (3) Despite subsection (2), if any goods seized is, in the opinion of the Director‑General, of a perishable nature or consists of an animal or other living creature, the Director‑General may at any time direct the sale thereof on such terms and in such manner and at such price as the Director‑General may think fit and the proceeds of the sale are thereupon treated for the purposes of this Act as though they were the goods seized. [6/2003]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s13
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 13
title: Forfeiture
content:
13. —(1) The court before which any person is tried for an offence may, whether a conviction is had or not, order the forfeiture of any goods produced before it or seized under this Act in connection with the offence for which the person is tried in respect of which it is satisfied that an offence has been committed. (2) When goods have been seized under the provisions of this Act, the Director‑General must, within one month from the date of the seizure, (unless a prosecution has before the expiry of that period been commenced and is pending against any person for an offence in respect of the goods so seized) report the fact of the seizure to a District Court and the Court may, if satisfied that an offence has been committed in respect of those goods, order them to be forfeited. [6/2003] (3) No order may be made under this section to the prejudice of any person claiming to be the owner of, or to have an interest in, those goods, unless that person has had an opportunity of being heard, either personally or by an advocate and solicitor, by the District Court, to show cause why such an order should not be made.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s14
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 14
title: Forfeiture of goods to include packages, etc.
content:
14. The provisions of this Act relating to the seizure and forfeiture of goods apply also to any packages in which the goods are found and to all the contents thereof and to any article used to conceal the goods.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s15
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 15
title: Disposal of forfeited goods
content:
15. All goods forfeited under this Act must be sold or disposed of in such manner as may be generally or specially directed by the Director‑General. [6/2003]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s16
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 16
title: Powers in relation to vessels, aircraft and vehicles
content:
16. —(1) A senior authorised officer or an authorised officer acting in accordance with the general or special directions of a senior authorised officer may board any conveyance in Singapore and may rummage and search all parts of the conveyance for goods which may be liable to forfeiture under this Act. (2) For the more effective exercise of the powers conferred by this section, a senior authorised officer may — ( a ) require the master of any vessel in Singapore to heave to; ( b ) by direction to the master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft in Singapore, require the vessel or aircraft (as the case may be) not to proceed until so authorised; ( c ) require any documents which ought to be on board any vessel or aircraft, being documents relating to any goods therein, to be brought to him or her for inspection, and, if he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that those goods are liable to forfeiture under this Act, detain any such documents; ( d ) break open and forcibly enter any place or receptacle in any conveyance to which he or she cannot otherwise reasonably obtain access; ( e ) by direction to the master of any vessel in Singapore, require the vessel to proceed to any specified anchorage, wharf or place to which the vessel may lawfully go; ( f ) by direction to the master of any vessel in Singapore, require him or her to move or discharge any cargo or other goods therein; ( g ) require the person in charge of a vehicle — (i) to stop and not to proceed until so authorised; or (ii) to bring the vehicle to any police station or examination station; ( h ) direct that the removal of any goods from or placed in any vessel be prohibited until so authorised; and ( i ) require the master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft to produce a complete manifest of the whole cargo of the vessel or aircraft and a complete list of stores carried by that vessel or aircraft. (3) An authorised officer may exercise, in respect of any vehicle, or of any vessel not exceeding 75 tons net tonnage, the powers which are conferred upon a senior authorised officer by subsection (2) other than the powers conferred by paragraph ( d ) of that subsection. (4) It is presumed in any proceedings arising out of any thing done under this section, unless the contrary is proved, that any authorised officer, not being a senior authorised officer, by whom the thing was done was acting in accordance with the general or special direction of a senior authorised officer. (5) If any vessel or aircraft fails to comply with any lawful requisition or direction given or made under this section, a senior authorised officer may take all such steps as appear to him or her necessary to secure such compliance. (6) Where any goods are found concealed, or in respect of which any document which ought to be produced is not produced, in any vessel or aircraft or which are not shown on any manifest or list required to be produced, being goods — ( a ) the import, export, carriage coastwise, shipment as ships’ stores, carriage as aircraft stores or transhipment of which is prohibited, either absolutely or conditionally by any regulations made under section 3; or ( b ) the transit through Singapore of which — (i) a requirement to inspect goods on board the vessel or aircraft is imposed pursuant to any written law giving effect to any relevant decision of the United Nations Security Council; and (ii) is prohibited, either absolutely or conditionally by any regulations made under section 3, the goods may be seized by an authorised officer and are liable to forfeiture in the same manner as if an offence had been committed in respect of the goods. [16/2018] (7) Any person who contravenes this section or who fails to comply with any lawful requisition or direction given or made thereunder shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. (8) An authorised officer may exercise the powers conferred by this section in respect of a vessel underway if — ( a ) the authorised officer reasonably suspects that any goods on board the vessel are intended to be landed or transhipped in Singapore; or ( b ) the goods on board the vessel are in transit through Singapore and a requirement to inspect goods on board the vessel is imposed pursuant to any written law giving effect to any relevant decision of the United Nations Security Council. [16/2018]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s17
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 17
title: Examination of packages, etc.
content:
17. —(1) Where any package, box, chest or other article is in Singapore and — ( a ) a reasonable suspicion exists that it is being, or is about to be, or has recently been imported, exported, carried coastwise, shipped as ships’ stores, carried as aircraft stores or transhipped in contravention of the provisions of any regulations made under section 3; or ( b ) is in transit through Singapore on board a vessel and a requirement to inspect goods on board the vessel is imposed pursuant to any written law giving effect to any relevant decision of the United Nations Security Council, the enforcement powers mentioned in subsection (2) may be exercised by the person conferred those powers under that subsection in relation to the package, box, chest or other article. [16/2018] (2) Any package, box, chest or other article mentioned in subsection (1) — ( a ) may be examined and searched by any authorised officer and may be detained until any person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article has opened it for examination and search; ( b ) may be forcibly opened by, or by order of, a senior authorised officer to facilitate the examination and search except that any person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article is to be afforded every reasonable facility for being present at the opening, examination and search; or ( c ) may be marked, locked, sealed or otherwise secured by any authorised officer pending examination and search. [16/2018] (3) Any person (not being an authorised officer) who removes, opens, breaks or tampers with any lock, seal or other means of securing any package, box, chest or other article shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. [16/2018]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s18
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 18
title: Powers in relation to examination of goods
content:
18. —(1) If any goods are found in Singapore and — ( a ) there is reason to believe that the goods are being, or are about to be, or have recently been imported, exported, carried coastwise, shipped as ships’ stores, carried as aircraft stores or transhipped in contravention of the provisions of any regulations made under section 3; or ( b ) are in transit through Singapore on board a vessel and a requirement to inspect goods on board the vessel is imposed pursuant to any written law giving effect to any relevant decision of the United Nations Security Council, the enforcement powers mentioned in subsection (2) may be exercised by the person conferred those powers under that subsection in relation to those goods. [16/2018] (2) Any — ( a ) authorised officer may examine any goods mentioned in subsection (1); and ( b ) senior authorised officer may take samples of any goods mentioned in subsection (1) and may submit the goods or samples, or cause them to be submitted, to such tests or analysis as the senior authorised officer may think fit. [16/2018]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s19
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 19
title: Power to remove packages and goods to police station or examination station
content:
19. —(1) For the more convenient exercise of the powers conferred by sections 17 and 18, an authorised officer may remove any package, box, chest or other article or any goods to a police station or examination station or may require it to be so removed by the owner thereof or the owner’s agent or any person having the custody, charge or control thereof. (2) Any person who fails to comply with any such requisition shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000. (3) Upon the failure by a person to comply with such a requisition, an authorised officer may remove the goods in the manner provided by subsection (1) and all the expenses of the removal (as certified by the Director‑General) are recoverable as a fine from that person or from the owner of the goods. [6/2003]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s20
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 20
title: Power to require packages to be brought to examination station for examination
content:
20. —(1) Where a senior authorised officer has reason to suspect that any particulars, information or document furnished pursuant to any regulations made under section 3 is inaccurate, any package to which the particulars, information or document refers may be opened and examined by the senior authorised officer or by any person specially authorised in writing by the Director‑General. [6/2003] (2) For the purpose of examination under subsection (1), the senior authorised officer or any person specifically authorised in writing by the Director‑General may require the importer or exporter to bring the package to any examination station. [6/2003] (3) The cost of bringing any package to or removing any package from an examination station pursuant to subsection (2) must be borne by the importer or exporter if the particulars, information or documents furnished (or any of them) are found to be substantially inaccurate.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s21
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 21
title: Search of persons and baggage
content:
21. —(1) Any person landing or being about to land or having recently landed from any vessel or aircraft, or leaving any vessel or aircraft in Singapore whether for the purpose of landing or otherwise, or entering or having recently entered Singapore by land, sea or air, or being about to leave Singapore by land, sea or air, must — ( a ) on demand by an authorised officer, either permit his or her person and goods and baggage to be searched by the officer or, together with the goods and baggage, accompany the officer to a police station or an examination station, and there permit his or her person and goods and baggage to be searched in the presence and under the supervision of a senior authorised officer; or ( b ) on demand by a senior authorised officer, permit his or her person and goods and baggage to be searched by the officer or in the presence and under the supervision of the officer. (2) Whenever it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search must be made by another woman and with strict regard to decency. (3) The goods and baggage of any person who requests to be present when they are searched must not be searched except in his or her presence, unless he or she fails to be present after being given reasonable facility for being present. (4) Any person who refuses to comply with any lawful demand made under this section may be arrested without warrant by the officer making the demand.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s22
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 22
title: Search warrants
content:
22. —(1) Whenever it appears to a Magistrate or a Justice of the Peace upon information and after any inquiry that he or she may consider necessary that there is probable cause to believe that in any dwelling house, shop or other building or place there are concealed or deposited any goods or property liable to forfeiture under this Act, the Magistrate or the Justice of the Peace may, by warrant directed to any senior authorised officer, empower that officer by day or night to enter that dwelling house, shop or other building or place and there to search for and take possession of any goods or property reasonably suspected to be so liable to forfeiture and any books, documents or articles which may reasonably be believed to have a bearing on the case. (2) The senior authorised officer mentioned in subsection (1) may if it is necessary to do so — ( a ) break open any outer or inner door of the dwelling house, shop or other building or place and enter thereinto; ( b ) forcibly enter the place and every part thereof; ( c ) remove by force any obstruction to any entry, search, seizure and removal that he or she is empowered to effect; and ( d ) detain every person found in the place until the place has been searched.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s23
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 23
title: When search may be made without warrant
content:
23. Whenever it appears to any senior authorised officer that there is probable cause to believe that in any dwelling house, shop or other building or place there is concealed or deposited any goods or property liable to forfeiture under this Act, and he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that by reason of the delay in obtaining a search warrant the goods are likely to be removed, the officer, by virtue of his or her office, may exercise in and upon and in respect of that dwelling house, shop or other building or place all the powers referred to in section 22 as if he or she were empowered to do so by a warrant issued under that section.


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s24
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 24
title: Power to have access to, inspect and check operation of computer and other apparatus
content:
24. In connection with the exercise of the powers in section 19, 20, 22, 23 or 28A, any authorised officer or senior authorised officer, as the case may be — ( a ) is entitled at any time to have access to, and inspect and check the operation of, any computer and any associated device, apparatus or material which is or has been in use in connection with any data or document to which section 19, 20, 22, 23 or 28A applies; and ( b ) may require — (i) the person by whom or on whose behalf the computer is or has been so used; or (ii) any person having charge of, or otherwise concerned with the operation of, the computer, device, apparatus or material, to provide the authorised officer or senior authorised officer, with such reasonable assistance as he or she may require for the purposes of paragraph ( a ). [28/2003]


document_id: riea-1995
provision_ref: s25
chapter: PART 2 - REGULATION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTATION
section: 25
title: Powers of authorised officers to enter certain premises
content:
25. —(1) For the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by sections 17 to 22, an authorised officer or a senior authorised officer (as the case may be) may, without warrant, enter upon any islet, landing place, wharf, dock, railway or quay or the premises of a provider of port services or facilities licensed or exempted under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act 1996 or the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. [6/97] (2) In this section, “railway” has the meaning given by the Railways Act 1905.


