Ronald Ian Cheffins

Ronald Ian Cheffins (January 13, 1930 – November 2, 2025) was a Canadian lawyer and politician scientist. He was professor of political science and law and the University of Victoria.^[1][2][3] He was the first lawyer to be appointed directly to the British Columbia court of appeal in 1985.^[4] He held the seat until resigning 2 years later in 1987 to return to legal and scholarly practice after finding judicial work too "uncongenial".^[5][6] In 1991 he served as the Vice-chair^[7] on the Law Reform Commission of British Columbia.^[5][8][9] He was an expert on the Canadian Constitution^[10][11] and advised five past lieutenants-governor.^[12][13][14] He was a weekly Friday guest on CFAX 1070's Adam Stirling radio programme, where he discussed both local and world politics.^[15][16]

The Honourable Ronald Cheffins
Born	Ronald Ian Cheffins (1930-01-13)January 13, 1930 Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Died	November 2, 2025(2025-11-02) (aged 95)
Nationality	Canadian
Occupation(s)	Lawyer, judge, law/political science professor
Known for	Being a Canadian Constitutional expert and the first lawyer appointed directly to the British Columbia court of appeal (1985)

Life and career

Cheffins was born in Montréal, Quebec on January 30, 1930.^[17][18]

In 1953, Cheffins was appointed a Special Commissioner for taking Affidavits within the province of British Columbia by Lieutenant-Governor Clarence Wallace.^[19] In 1955, Cheffins graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Laws,^[20][21] before continuing his studies at the university.^[22]

Cheffins died on November 2, 2025, at the age of 95.^[23]

Publications

Cheffins authored The Royal Prerogative and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in 2000,^[24] a paper which has been used as a reference in multiple additional papers and books.^[25][26]

Further reading

The Supreme Court of Canada: The Quiet Court in an Unquiet Country