Singapore Act 1966

1Effect on existing law of Singapore's becoming an independent sovereign Commonwealth state.

(1)Subject to the provisions of this Act, all law which, whether being a rule of law or a provision of an Act of Parliament or of any other enactment or instrument whatsoever, was in force immediately before 9th August, 1965 (being the day on which Singapore became an independent sovereign state separate from and independent of Malaysia) or, having been passed or made before that day comes or has come into force thereafter, shall, unless and until provision to the contrary is made by Parliament or some other authority having power in that behalf, have the same operation in relation to Singapore, and persons and things belonging to or connected with Singapore, as it would have, apart from this subsection, if Singapore had not become an independent sovereign state as aforesaid.

(2)The enactments specified in the Schedule to this Act (being enactments applicable to Commonwealth countries having fully responsible status) shall have effect in accordance with the provisions of that Schedule.

(3)Subsection (1) of this section applies to law of, or of any part of, the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and, in relation only to an enactment of the Parliament of the United Kingdom or any Order in Council made by virtue of any such enactment whereby any such enactment applies in relation to Singapore, to law of any other country or territory to which that enactment or Order extends.

(4)This section shall be deemed to have had effect from 9th August, 1965.

2Cesser of jurisdiction of Singapore courts under Colonial and Other Territories (Divorce Jurisdiction) Acts 1926 to 1950.

(1)In their operation by virtue of the foregoing section, the Colonial and Other Territories (Divorce Jurisdiction) Acts 1926 to 1950 shall not have effect so as to enable a court having jurisdiction under the law of Singapore to make a decree for the dissolution of a marriage, or, as incidental thereto, to make an order as to any matter, unless proceedings for the decree were instituted before the passing of this Act.

(2)Except as provided by the foregoing subsection, and subject to any provision to the contrary having effect as part of the law of Singapore, all courts having jurisdiction under the law of Singapore shall, after the coming into force of this section, be treated, for the purpose of such law as is mentioned in subsection (3) of the foregoing section, as having the same jurisdiction under the said Acts as they would have had if this Act had not been passed.

(3)The rules referred to in section 1(4) of the [1926 c. 40.] Indian and Colonial Divorce Jurisdiction Act 1926 (which requires proceedings under that Act to be conducted in accordance with rules made by the Secretary of State with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor) may, in the application of that Act to Singapore by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this Act, instead of being so made, be made by such authority as may be determined by the law of Singapore, and so much of the said section 1(4) and of any rules in force thereunder so made by the Secretary of State as requires the approval of the Lord Chancellor to the nomination for any purpose of any judges of any such court shall cease to have effect.

(4)The references in subsection (1) above to proceedings for the dissolution of a marriage include references to proceedings for such a decree of presumption of death and dissolution of marriage as is authorised by section 14 of the [1965 c. 72.] Matrimonial Causes Act 1965.

3Judicial Committee of Privy Council.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council confer on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council such jurisdiction and powers in respect of appeals from the Federal Court of Malaysia, acting on appeals from the High Court of Singapore, and in respect of appeals from any other court being a court having jurisdiction under the laws of Singapore, as appear to Her Majesty to be appropriate for giving effect to any arrangements made in that behalf between Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the government of Singapore in accordance with any provision of those laws.

(2)An Order in Council made under this section may determine the classes of cases in which, and the conditions as to leave and otherwise subject to which, any such appeal may be entertained by the said Committee and the practice and procedure to be followed on any such appeal, and may contain such incidental or supplemental provisions as appear to Her Majesty to be expedient.

(3)Except as otherwise provided by an Order in Council under this section, and subject to such modifications as may be so provided, the [1833 c. 41.] Judicial Committee Act 1833 shall have effect in relation to appeals in respect of which jurisdiction is conferred under this section as it applies in relation to appeals to Her Majesty in Council.

(4)An Order in Council under this section may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order in Council.

4Power to make consequential adaptations.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make such adaptations in any Act of Parliament passed before this Act as appear to Her necessary or expedient in consequence of Singapore's becoming an independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth.

(2)An Order in Council under this section and any Order in Council or other instrument made under any other enactment which varies or revokes a previous Order in Council or instrument in consequence of Singapore's becoming an independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth may be made so as to have effect from 9th August 1965.

(3)An Order in Council made under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, and may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order so made.

5Short title and interpretation.

(1)This Act may be cited as the Singapore Act 1966.

(2)References in this Act to any enactment are references to that enactment as amended or extended by or under any other enactment.