The general rule is that the provisions of the consolidating Acts apply, in accordance with section 2 of this Act (continuity of the law), to matters arising before the commencement of those Acts as to matters arising after that commencement.

The general rule has effect subject to any express provision to the contrary, either in this Schedule or in connection with the substantive provision in question.

The general rule does not mean that the provisions of the consolidating Acts apply to cases to which the corresponding repealed provisions did not apply by virtue of transitional provision made in connection with the commencement of the repealed provisions (such transitional provisions, if not specifically reproduced, are saved by paragraph 1 of Schedule 4).

The general rule does not apply so far as a provision of the consolidating Acts gives effect to an amendment (in pursuance of a Recommendation of the Law Commission and, in some cases, the Scottish Law Commission).