Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments and Repeal) Bill

by inserting, immediately after the definition of “animal” in subsection (1), the following definition:“ “appoint” includes re-appoint”;

by inserting, immediately after the definition of “consular officer” in subsection (1), the following definition:“ “contravene”, in relation to a provision of a written law, includes a failure to comply with a requirement or condition in that provision”; and

by inserting, immediately after subsection (1), the following subsection:“(1A) Where a word or expression is defined in a written law, then, unless the contrary intention appears, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or expression, and cognate expressions, have corresponding meanings in that law.”.

the example or illustration shall not be taken to be exhaustive; and

if the example or illustration is inconsistent with the provision, the provision prevails.”.

a repeal effected by implication;

the abrogation or limitation of the effect of the written law or part; and

the exclusion of the application of the written law or part to any person, subject-matter or circumstance.(3) Where a written law expires, lapses or otherwise ceases to have effect, this section applies as if the written law had been repealed by another written law.(4) A reference in this section to a part of a written law includes a reference to any provision of, or words, figures, drawings or symbols in, the written law.”.

Where a written law confers a power or function or imposes a duty upon a statutory body consisting of not fewer than 3 persons, the power may be exercised, or the function or duty may be performed, by a majority of those persons.(2) Where a statutory body consists of 3 or more persons —

a quorum is constituted at a meeting of the body by a number of members of the body equal to —

at least one-half of the number of members provided for in the written law establishing the body, if that number is a fixed number; and

if the number of persons is not so fixed but is within a range having a maximum or minimum, at least one-half of the number of members in office;

an act or thing done by a majority of the members of the body present at the meeting, if those members constitute a quorum, is to be regarded as having been done by the body.(3) At a meeting of a statutory body, the chairman or other member presiding shall have a casting as well as a deliberative vote in all matters in which a decision is taken by vote.(4) This section is subject to any provision to the contrary in any written law.(5) In this section, “statutory body” means a board, commission, committee or similar body, whether corporate or unincorporate, established under a written law.”.

Where a written law authorises or requires a document to be served on a person, whether the expression “serve”, “give” or “send” or any other expression is used, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the document may be served —

in the case of an individual —

by delivering it to the individual personally; or

by leaving it at, or by sending it by pre-paid post to, the usual or last known address of the place of residence or business of the individual;

in the case of a partnership —

by delivering it to the secretary or other like officer of the partnership; or

by leaving it at, or by sending it by pre-paid post to, the principal or last known place of business of the partnership in Singapore;

in the case of a body corporate —

by delivering it to the secretary or other like officer of the body corporate; or

by leaving it at, or by sending it by pre-paid post to, the registered office or a principal office of the body corporate in Singapore.(2) Nothing in subsection (1) —

affects the operation of any written law that authorises the service of a document otherwise than as provided in that subsection; or

affects the power of a court to authorise service of a document otherwise than as provided in that subsection.”.

by deleting “$5,000” in the 1st line and substituting the words “the relevant amount”; and

by inserting, immediately after the word “payment” in the penultimate line, the words “, together with any sum payable in respect of costs,”.

by deleting subsection (3) and substituting the following subsections:“(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, a public officer or an advocate and solicitor, acting in respect of the matters referred to in subsection (2), shall not receive or accept any payment of money for so acting other than —

such costs as are agreed between him and the Public Trustee;

taxed costs, in default of such agreement with the Public Trustee; or

such costs as the Public Trustee may determine to be the costs of the public officer or advocate and solicitor, if the public officer or advocate and solicitor fails to begin proceedings for taxation of costs within 3 months after the relevant date unless before that time the public officer or the advocate and solicitor has agreed with the Public Trustee on costs.(3A) Subsection (3) shall not apply to a public officer or an advocate and solicitor claiming costs in respect of a judgment or settlement for a sum not exceeding the relevant amount.(3B) For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), “relevant date” means —

the date the Public Trustee accepts or the court approves the payment referred to in section 6, as the case may be; or

the date the judgment of the court referred to in section 9(1) is given,as the case may be.”; and

by deleting the words “taxed costs” in the 2nd line of subsection (5) and the 1st and 2nd lines of subsection (6) and substituting in each case the words “costs referred to in subsection 3(a), (b) or (c)”.