Short answers, pulled from the story.
The title justice of the peace derives from a statute enacted in 1361 during the reign of Edward III. This legal framework allowed justices to bind over unruly persons as a preventive measure rather than punishment.
Esther Hobart Morris became the first female justice appointed in the United States on the 14th of February 1870 in South Pass City. She served nearly nine months following the resignation of R.S. Barr who protested the passage of the women's suffrage amendment in December 1869.
Queensland features qualified justices who can issue search warrants and arrest warrants alongside another qualified justice to constitute a magistrates' court. They also handle specific duties within the judicial system that differ from other Australian states.
Victoria has around 3500 justices and bail justices collectively signing more than 1.5 million documents annually assisting over 350,000 people. Bail justices hear applications under the Bail Act 1977 including after-hours matters.
Emily Murphy became second woman magistrate sworn in British Empire when appointed police magistrate Women's Court City of Edmonton Alberta on the 19th of June 1916. Her appointment preceded Ada Summers appointment in United Kingdom by approximately three and a half years.