119 (a) a reference to an appointment to any office shall be construed as including a reference to the appointment of a person to act or perform the functions of that office at any time when the office is vacant or the holder of that office is unable to perform the functions of that office; and (b) a reference to the holder of an office by the term designating the office of that holder shall be construed as including a reference to any person for the time being lawfully acting in or performing the functions of that office. (3) Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the Interpretation Act 1899 or its successor shall apply, with the necessary adaptations, for the purpose of interpreting this Constitution. CHAPTER XIX TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS Existing Government 262. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the Government existing immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall continue in office and, as far as possible, exercise its powers and functions in such a manner and with such modifications as are necessary to bring them into conformity with the provisions of this Constitution. Existing Parliament 263. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the Parliament existing immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall continue in office and, as far as possible, exercise its powers and functions in such a manner and with such modifications as are necessary to bring them into conformity with the provisions of this Constitution. Existing Courts of Judicature 264. The Court of Appeal and the High Court, in existence immediately before the commencement of this Constitution shall be deemed, subject to such modifications as may be necessary, to have been established under this Constitution and shall perform the functions of the Supreme Court and the High court specified in Chapter VIII of this Constitution. Continuation of appointment of justices of superior courts 265. (1) A Justice of the superior courts holding office immediately before the commencement of this Constitution shall continue to hold office as if appointed to that office under this Constitution. (2) Any person to whom this section applies shall on the commencement of this Constitution be deemed to have taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath as prescribed by this Constitution. Existing offices 266. (1) A person who immediately before the commencement of this Constitution held or was acting in any office established by or by virtue of the constitution then in force, so far as is consistent with the provisions of this Constitution, shall be deemed to have been appointed as from the commencement of this Constitution, to hold or to act in the equivalent office under this Constitution. 119