José de los Dolores Bernales Urmeneta (11 April 1817 – 2 March 1896) was a Chilean lawyer, judge and politician who served twice as president of the Supreme Court, in 1884 and 1888.
Early life Bernales was born in Santiago on 11 April 1817, the son of Francisco Bernales Trucíos and María Dolores Urmeneta Astaburuaga. His brother, Mariano Bernales Urmeneta, also pursued a judicial career.
He studied at the Instituto Nacional. On 17 December 1838, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in canon and civil law from the Royal University of San Felipe. He subsequently attended the Academy of Law and Forensic Practice and was admitted to the bar on 16 April 1841.
Judicial and political career In 1841, Bernales was appointed a judge of letters and subsequently held judicial positions in different parts of Chile. He was elected substitute deputy for Ancud for the 1855–1858 legislative period, but did not take his seat. On 22 December 1855, he was appointed a civil judge in Santiago.
On 23 July 1869, Bernales was appointed an acting justice of the Court of Appeals of Santiago. He became a permanent justice of the court in 1873.
On 16 May 1880, he was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court of Chile.
In 1882, while serving on the Supreme Court, Bernales was appointed a member of the Council of State. He attended its sessions between 20 April 1882 and 19 September 1886.
In 1884, Bernales served as president of the Supreme Court for the first time, succeeding Álvaro Covarrubias. He held the presidency during the government of Domingo Santa María and was succeeded by Belisario Prats Pérez in 1885.
Four years later, in 1888, Bernales served a second term as president of the Supreme Court, again succeeding Álvaro Covarrubias. He held the presidency during the government of José Manuel Balmaceda and was succeeded by José Cousiño in 1889.
Bernales retired from the Supreme Court on 30 June 1890.
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