The fonds consists essentially of textual records (with some photographs scattered throughout). The documents were created and brought together by Professor Crépeau in the course of his work as a lawyer, as well as in his activities as a professor and researcher at the Faculté de droit at the Université de Montréal and the Faculty of Law at McGill University. Certain documents were also accumulated during the course of his studies.
The documents provide a comprehensive view of Paul-André Crépeau's contribution to the advancement of law and legal knowledge. The fonds is particularly rich in terms of the evolution of Professor Crépeau's thinking and work in the writing of his various publications. It also documents Crépeau’s role in the reform of the Civil Code of Quebec. More broadly, the fonds documents the history of law in Quebec and Canada and highlights its civil law traditions in the two official languages of the country.
In selecting the documents, emphasis was placed on those highlighting the evolution and course of Professor Crépeau's career. The fonds consists of 8 series: 1. Teaching activities; 2. Research activities; 3. Associations, professional orders and external organizations; 4. Research activities; 5. Publications; 6. Work office; 7. Studies; 8. Documentation; 9. Honours; 10. Research; and 11. Work diaries and business cards.
The date range of the documents covers the entire career of Professor Crépeau, from the beginning of his studies to the end of his studies in the late 1940s to the end of his career in 2011. It is important to note that the correspondence is divided among the different series. Client files from his law practice have been removed.