Jules Deschênes

Who was Jules Deschênes?

Jules Deschênes, CC FRSC was a Canadian Quebec Superior Court judge.

Born in Montreal, to Wilfrid Deschênes and Berthe Bérard, he completed grade school under the supervision of les Clercs de Saint-Viateur and classical studies under les Messieurs de Saint-Sulpice. He graduated from the University of Montreal and was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1946.

From 1946 to 1960 he practiced law. In 1961, he was named Queen's Counsel. In 1962 he was elected to the Council of the Bar of Montreal. In 1962 he started to teach law at the University of Montreal.

On January 8, 1964 he accepted to prosecute at the Commission of Inquiry into the famous Coffin affair. In 1972 he was appointed a Justice of the Quebec Court of Appeal. In 1973 he was appointed, by Pierre Trudeau, Chief Justice of the Quebec Superior Court. He served in this position for ten years.

From 1984 to 1987 he was involved with the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities.