(1)For the purpose of any statutory provision or custom whereby the qualification of a solicitor for holding any office in Northern Ireland depends upon—
(a)his having been admitted for a specified period; or
(b)his having been admitted and in practice for a specified period,
that period, in the case of a solicitor who before admission was a barrister, shall be deemed to include—
(i)where paragraph (a) applies, any period during which he was a barrister; and
(ii)where paragraph (b) applies, any period after his call to the bar during which he was in practice as a barrister.
(2)For the purpose of any statutory provision or custom whereby the qualification of a barrister for holding any office in Northern Ireland depends upon—
(a)his having been called to the bar for a specified period ; or
(b)his having been called to the bar and in practice for a specified period,
that period, in the case of a barrister who before call was a solicitor, shall be deemed to include—
(i)where paragraph (a) applies, any period during which he was a solicitor; and
(ii)where paragraph (b) applies, any period after his admission as a solicitor during which he was in practice as such.
(3)This section applies—
(a)to this Act and to any other statutory provision whether passed or made before or after this Act; and
(b)in relation to persons admitted as solicitors or called to the bar before, as well as after, the passing of this Act.