(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, all law to which this section applies, whether being a rule of law or a provision of an Act of Parliament or of any other enactment or instrument whatsoever, which was in force on 13th December 1974, or, having been passed or made before that date, 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 Malta, and persons and things belonging to or connected with Malta, as it would have had apart from this subsection if Malta had not become a republic.
(2) This section applies to law of, or any part of, the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and, in relation only to any 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 Malta, to law of any other country or territory to which that enactment or Order extends.
(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) This section shall be deemed to have had effect from 13th December 1974.