Subseries contains Ronald St. John Macdonald's correspondence regarding a wide range of subjects, including his visits to China, his research on the teaching of international law at Canadian universities and other topics, the development of various of his books, Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Law School Journal, Dalhousie Law School centenary, the Hague, the United Nations, the Canadian Council on International Law, and many other matters. Subseries contains correspondence between Ronald St. John Macdonald and different individuals, including Paul Martin, Quing-nan Meng, Edgar Gold, Paul Fauteux, Dominique Alheritiere, Tom Hick, R. C. Strother, W.A. MacKay, Wang Fusun, J.D. Kingham, Patti Allen, John Vandermeulen, Rene Jean Dupuy, M.C.W. Pinto, Jacqueline Dauchy, Leo Nevas, Avard Bishop, Charles B. Bourne, John Willis, and many others.

Series comprises Ronald St. John Macdonald's records regarding his academic activities, including his involvement as a faculty member of York University Osgoode Hall, University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, and other institutions. Series also includes records and research materials regarding the development of Macdonald's publications, unpublished papers, and other materials.

Fonds comprises Ronald St. John Macdonald's records regarding his personal, academic, and professional activities as a jurist, judge, and professor. Records include those related to Macdonald's involvement with Osgoode Hall, University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, the European Court of Human Rights, the Hague, Peking University, World Academy of Arts and Science, Canadian Council of International Law, United Nations, Institute of International Law, African Society of International Law, British Institute of International Law, Canadian Institute of International Law, International Law Association, and others. Records types include correspondence; meeting minutes and agendas; research materials; photographs; newsletters; newspaper clippings; manuscripts; and off-prints.

Series comprises correspondence regarding Macdonald's professional and academic involvement with institutions including Osgoode Hall, University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, the European Court of Human Rights, the Hague, Peking University, World Academy of Arts and Science, Canadian Council of International Law, United Nations, Institute of International Law, African Society of International Law, British Institute of International Law, Canadian Institute of International Law, International Law Association, and others. Series also contains correspondence between Ronald St. John Macdonald and individuals including Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, Paul E. Martin, Jean Chrétien, Elisabeth Mann Borgese, Wang Tieya, A. Donat Pharand, and others.