Lord Bingham made the appointment in 1997 .
Lord Mackay 's Labour successor , Lord Irvine of Lairg , honoured the commitment in the Access to Justice Act 1999 .
Lord Bingham made the appointment in 1997 , and Lord Mackay 's Labour successor , Lord Irvine of Lairg , honoured the commitment in the Access to Justice Act 1999 .