Article 9 Transitional provisions

The justices who will be members of the first panel constituted in accordance with rule 4(1) may hold a meeting before 1st January 2004 in order to prepare to assume their functions on and after that date.

If a meeting is held in accordance with paragraph (1) it shall be treated as if it were a meeting of the justices of the first panel despite the fact that the panel was not at that time in existence.

The existing terms of appointment to a family panel in the Greater London area expire on 31st December 2003.