Fonds consists of Laws' working files, the majority of which came from Laws' office as manager of NAFEL. Other material relates to the various government agencies and committees with which he was associated. The bulk of the material covers the years from 1936 to 1981, when Laws was a central figure in Newfoundland's fishing industry.

The fonds has retained its original order. It is arranged in 15 series: 1. Hawes and Company (London) Ltd., 1909-1967; 2. Newfoundland Department of Natural Resources, 1919-1948; 3. Marketing Administration Committee (MAC), 1942-1947; 4. Newfoundland Associated Fish Exporters Ltd. (NAFEL), 1935-1980; 5. North Atlantic Shipping Ltd., 1930-1971; 6. Cold Water Fisheries Ltd., 1947-1971; 7. Publications, 1920-1970; 8. Newspaper clippings and newspapers, 1927-1974; 9. Newfoundland Fisheries Board (NFB), 1932-1957; 10. Post-War Planning Committee, 1943-1946; 11. MUN seminars, 1948, 1971, and 1977; 12. Newfoundland Fisheries Commission, 1962-1964; 13. Fishing Industry Advisory Board (FIAB), 1972-1983; 14. H. B. Nickerson & Sons Limited, 1969-1972; and 15. F. A. J. Laws photographs and slides, 1930s-1960s.