(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, on July 1, 1983, each of the following officers shall become a magistrate of the county in which he formerly exercised jurisdiction:

(1) Each justice of the peace in office on June 30, 1983;

(2) Each notary public ex officio justice of the peace in office on June 30, 1983;

(3) Each judge of a small claims court in office on June 30, 1983;

(4) Each magistrate or judge of a magistrate court in office on June 30, 1983; and

(5) Each judge of the County Court of Echols County.

(b) Any officer who was required to be certified under former Article 5 of this chapter, "The Georgia Justice Courts Training Council Act," and who was not so certified as of June 30, 1983, or any officer holding over beyond the expiration of the term for which he was selected shall not so become a magistrate on July 1, 1983.

(c) Each magistrate taking office on July 1, 1983, shall continue in office for a term which shall expire on the date of expiration of the term which he was serving in such other capacity. Such magistrates may thereafter be reappointed or reelected as provided in Article 2 of this chapter. However, at the expiration of the term of any magistrate other than the chief magistrate, no magistrate shall be selected to replace him unless the number of magistrates remaining in office is less than the number fixed by local law or by the judges of superior court under Code Section 15-10-20.