12.—(1) A chairman or (as the case may be) deputy chairman elected under these Rules shall, subject to rule 13(3) and (9), hold office for one year beginning on 1st January after his election and shall, subject to paragraphs (3), (4) and (5), be eligible for re-election.
(2) In paragraphs (3) and (4) “previous chairman” means a justice who has held office as chairman of the justices for the petty sessions area in respect of which the election is held.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), a previous chairman shall not be eligible for re-election as chairman if, on 1st January after the election, he will have held such office for periods totalling more than two years unless at least six years have elapsed since he last held office.
(4) In any event, a previous chairman shall not be eligible for re-election as chairman if, on the 1st January after the election, he will have held such office for periods totalling more than five years.
(5) A justice who has held office as deputy chairman of the justices for the petty sessions area in respect of which the election is held shall not be eligible for re-election as deputy chairman if on 1st January after the election he will have held such office for periods totalling more than five years.
(6) Any period served as chairman or deputy chairman, as the case may be, before 31st December 2001 shall not count towards the maximum periods of service permitted by paragraphs (3), (4) and (5).