31. (1) Any legal proceedings pending immediately before the establishment day, to which the Minister is a party, that relate to a function transferred to the Office by or under this Act, shall be continued on and after that day, with the substitution in the proceedings of the Office in so far as they so relate, for the Minister.

(2) Any claim made or proper to be made by the Minister in respect of any loss or injury arising from the act or default of any person before the establishment day shall, where the claim relates to a function transferred to the Office by or under this Act, be regarded as having been made by or proper to be made by the Office and may be pursued and sued for by the Office on and after that day as if the loss or injury had been suffered by the Office.