# Law No. 3681 of December 7, 1959

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648696](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648696)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3681-of-december-7-1959

## Summary
**Law No. 3681 of December 7, 1959** (Lei nº 3681, de 7 de dezembro de 1959) is a Brazilian federal statute that mandates the registration of contracts, agreements, adjustments, and other analogous legal acts with the Federal Court of Accounts (Tribunal de Contas da União). Promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek and published in Rio de Janeiro, it serves as a formal legal norm applicable to the Federal Government of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3681, de 7 de dezembro de 1959
- **Classification:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Date of Promulgation:** December 7, 1959
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (Juscelino Kubitschek)
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Publication Place:** Rio de Janeiro
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3681/1959
- **Primary Subject:** Registration of contracts and legal acts by the Federal Court of Accounts
- **Target Entity:** Federal Government of Brazil (União Federal)
- **Lexml ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-12-07;3681
- **WikiProject:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is the main purpose of Law No. 3681/1959?**
The law establishes requirements for the registration of contracts, agreements, adjustments, and other similar legal acts. It specifically mandates that these registrations be handled by the Federal Court of Accounts (Tribunal de Contas da União).

**Who signed Law No. 3681/1959 into force?**
The statute was approved and promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically under President Juscelino Kubitschek, on December 7, 1959.

**What legal classification does this entity hold?**
It is classified as a "statute," which is defined as a formal written document that creates law. As a statute, it is considered a subclass of a written work, a document, and a rule, acting as a manifestation of statutory law.

**Where can the full text of the law be accessed?**
The work is available online at the official Planalto Palace website (https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3681.htm) and is indexed under the Lexml Brazil ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-12-07;3681`.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3681 of December 7, 1959, is significant for administrative oversight in Brazil as it directly involves the **Federal Court of Accounts (TCU)** in the regulation of federal legal instruments. By requiring the registration of contracts and analogous acts, the law provides a mechanism for fiscal and legal control over the **Federal Government of Brazil**. Enacted during the administration of **Juscelino Kubitschek**, a period marked by rapid development and the construction of Brasília, this statute represents the legal frameworks used to manage government agreements during a transformative era in Brazilian history. As a **statute**, it embodies the "edict of government doctrine," existing as a public domain document that serves as the definitive reference for the rules it establishes.

## Notable For
- **Oversight Mechanism:** Specifically tasks the **Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil** with the registration of federal contracts and agreements.
- **Historical Context:** Promulgated by **Juscelino Kubitschek**, a notable Brazilian president associated with the "50 years in 5" development slogan.
- **Publication Location:** Published in **Rio de Janeiro**, which served as the capital of Brazil until shortly after this law's enactment (capital moved to Brasília in April 1960).
- **Legal Standard:** Functions as a "statute," a foundational legal concept equivalent to `https://schema.org/Legislation` and generally free from copyright restrictions as an official government edict.

## Body

### Enactment and Authority
Law No. 3681 was officially promulgated on **December 7, 1959**. The act of approval was performed by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**, with **Juscelino Kubitschek** serving as the determinant authority at that point in time. The legal creation of this statute followed the standard legislative process where "draft laws" precede the formal statute, which is then caused by "legislation."

### Subject Matter and Scope
The core function of this law, as defined by its law digest, is to "DISPÕE SOBRE REGISTRO DE CONTRATOS, ACORDOS, AJUSTES E OUTROS ATOS JURIDICOS ANALOGOS, PELO TRIBUNAL DE CONTAS" (Provides for the registration of contracts, agreements, adjustments, and other analogous legal acts, by the Court of Accounts).

Key subjects covered include:
- **Federal Government of Brazil (União Federal):** The entity to which the regulations apply.
- **Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil (TCU):** The body responsible for the registration and oversight.
- **Register (Registro):** The specific legal action required.
- **Contract (Contrato):** The primary type of legal instrument regulated.

### Jurisdiction and Language
The statute applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**, a country located in South America characterized as a federal republic. The language of the work is **Brazilian Portuguese**, reflecting the official language of the nation. The publication occurred in **Rio de Janeiro**, the then-capital and major urban center of Brazil.

### Classification and Structure
Legally, Law No. 3681 is an instance of a **statute**. This classification implies it is:
- A formal written document that creates law.
- A subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule."
- Composed of "legal norms" and functions as a "manifestation of statutory law."

As a statute, it shares the general characteristics of this legal category, such as being a part of the broader concepts of "law" and "legal act." In jurisdictions like the United States and France, statutes are typically considered public domain due to the "edict of government doctrine," ensuring public accessibility to legal texts.

### Identification and Access
The law is indexed and accessible through several official identifiers and URLs:
- **Lexml Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-12-07;3681`
- **Legal Citation:** `Lei nº 3681/1959`
- **Official URL:** `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3681.htm`

It is also listed on the **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, indicating its relevance within structured knowledge projects and Wikimedia initiatives. The preservation and cataloging of this law ensure its availability for legal reference and historical analysis of Brazilian legislation during the late 1950s.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-12-07;3681)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3681&ano=1959&data=07/12/1959&ato=ba5ATW65UMRRVTb41)
3. LexML Brasil