Richard the Lionheart appointed them to keep the peace during his 12th century reign.

Now Justices of the Peace will be tasked with helping to clear the backlog and speed up the time it takes to finalise minor civil disputes heard in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The Legal Affairs and Safety Committee have recommended the QCAT Justices of the Peace amendment bill pass, which given the government's majority is now a foregone conclusion.

It means the role of JPs will be expanded and enhanced to allow them to hear minor disputes which have reached the tribunal. Two JPs, one of whom must be a lawyer, will begin hearing disputes in key regions – Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Ipswich and Townsville – in June.

Minor disputes are defined as anything with a value under $5000 including small debts and damage claims, trader and consumer disputes and non-urgent residential tenancy matters.