Section 17. Pending Causes—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.

The first sentence of section 5.10, all of section 5.11 and all of
section 5.12 shall become effective on January 1, 1970. Any matter
pending on December 31, 1969, before a justice of the peace or
any People's Court or Municipal Court or in the Housing Court
of Baltimore County shall be decided or otherwise disposed of
in the District Court in the county in which the matter was pend-
ing on December 31, 1969, unless thereafter lawfully removed.

Section 18. Uniform Jurisdiction.

The third sentence of section 5.08 and the second sentence of
section 5.10 shall become effective January 1, 1971, except as to
matters then pending. Until January 1, 1971, the provisions of
the second paragraph of article IV, section 20, of the prior Con-
stitution shall remain in effect.

Section 19. Continuance in Judicial Office.

Each judge of (a) the Court of Appeals, (b) the Court of Spe-
cial Appeals, and (c) the first and second judicial circuits, the
Circuit Courts for the counties, and the Supreme Bench of Balti-
more City, in office on June 30, 1968, shall continue in office as a
judge, respectively, of (a) the Court of Appeals created by this
Constitution, (b) the Intermediate Appellate Court, and (c) the
Superior Court, for the balance of the term for which he was
appointed or elected, unless sooner removed, retired or convicted
after impeachment pursuant to the provisions of this Constitu-
tion.

Section 20. Continuance in Office—Chief Judges of Appellate
Courts.

The chief judge of the Court of Appeals and the chief judge
of the Court of Special Appeals in office on June 30, 1968, shall
be the chief judge, respectively, of the Court of Appeals created
by this Constitution, and of the Intermediate Appellate Court for
the remainder of his service on such court, or until he resigns
the office of chief judge.

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