# Law No. 3834-a of December 12, 1960

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648824](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648824)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3834-a-of-december-12-1960

## Summary

Law No. 3834-a of December 12, 1960 (Lei nº 3834-a, de 12 de dezembro de 1960) is a Brazilian statute that establishes special budgetary credit provisions and addresses matters related to the judiciary. Promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek on behalf of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, this law represents a formal legislative act enacted during Brazil's presidential term under Kubitschek's administration. The statute operates within Brazil's federal legal framework and applies to the entire Brazilian jurisdiction, with its official text published in Brazilian Portuguese.

## Key Facts

- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3834-a, de 12 de dezembro de 1960
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3834-a/1960
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil
- **Date of Enactment:** December 12, 1960
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **President at Time:** Juscelino Kubitschek
- **Determination Method:** Promulgation
- **Classification:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Instance Of:** Statute (subclass of written work, document, and rule)
- **Main Subjects:** Special budgetary adjustment (Crédito Especial) and Judiciary (Judiciário)
- **Publication Place:** Brasília
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (applies to the entire federative republic)
- **LEXML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-12-12;3834-a
- **Official Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3834-a.htm
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law

## FAQs

**What is Law No. 3834-a of December 12, 1960?**

Law No. 3834-a of December 12, 1960 is a Brazilian federal statute that creates special budgetary credit provisions (Crédito Especial) and addresses judicial matters within Brazil's legal system. It was formally promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek and constitutes part of Brazil's statutory law framework.

**Who enacted Law No. 3834-a of 1960?**

The law was enacted by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, with President Juscelino Kubitschek as the determining authority on December 12, 1960. The law represents an official act of the Brazilian federal executive branch exercising its legislative prerogatives.

**What subjects does Law No. 3834-a address?**

The law primarily addresses two main subjects: special budgetary adjustment (Crédito Especial), which relates to extraordinary financial authorizations within the Brazilian federal budget, and the judiciary (Judiciário), concerning matters related to the judicial branch of government.

**Where can Law No. 3834-a of 1960 be accessed?**

The official text of Law No. 3834-a is available through the Brazilian federal government's official legislation portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3834-a.htm, and also through the LEXML legal database under the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-12-12;3834-a.

**What is the legal classification of Law No. 3834-a?**

The law is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. In the hierarchy of legal concepts, a statute is considered a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule," and serves as a manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system.

**What is the relationship between this law and the Brazilian Constitution?**

As a federal statute enacted in 1960, Law No. 3834-a exists within Brazil's legislative framework established by the Constitution of Brazil. The law operates under the constitutional authority granted to the federal government to legislate on matters of budgetary procedure and judicial administration. Notably, this law predates the current 1988 Constitution, having been enacted during the period of the 1946 Constitution.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 3834-a of December 12, 1960 matters because it represents an official exercise of Brazil's federal legislative authority during a significant period in the country's development. Enacted under President Juscelino Kubitschek, who served from 1956 to 1961 and was responsible for the construction of Brasília, this law exemplifies the type of statutory instruments that enabled the Brazilian federal government to manage extraordinary budgetary needs while maintaining proper legal authorization.

The law's dual focus on special budgetary credit and judicial matters reflects two critical aspects of governmental function. The provisions regarding special budgetary adjustment (Crédito Especial) demonstrate how the Brazilian legal system accommodates extraordinary financial authorizations beyond the regular budgetary process—a mechanism essential for addressing unforeseen governmental expenses or major projects requiring immediate funding. The inclusion of judicial matters indicates the law's role in supporting or restructuring elements of Brazil's judicial branch during a period of significant political and administrative transformation.

From a legal-historical perspective, this statute occupies a specific place in Brazil's legislative history, representing the type of laws that governed federal finances and judicial administration before the profound political changes of the 1964 military coup and the subsequent 1988 Constitution. Understanding such laws provides insight into the evolution of Brazilian public administration and the legal mechanisms that have historically supported governmental operations.

Furthermore, as a public domain legal document, Law No. 3834-a remains accessible to citizens, legal professionals, researchers, and historians, contributing to transparency in Brazilian legal heritage and supporting academic study of Brazil's legislative evolution.

## Notable For

- **Historical Significance:** Enacted during President Juscelino Kubitschek's administration, a period marked by major developments including the construction of Brasília and significant economic modernization initiatives.
- **Dual Subject Matter:** Addresses both special budgetary provisions (Crédito Especial) and judicial administration, demonstrating the interconnected nature of financial and judicial governance in Brazilian federal law.
- **Legal Classification:** Classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law—placing it within the foundational category of legal instruments that constitute statutory law.
- **Public Accessibility:** Available through official Brazilian government portals, exemplifying the principle that statutes are public documents accessible to all citizens.
- **Federal Scope:** Applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil, representing an exercise of federal legislative authority that affects the entire nation.
- **Historical Documentation:** Part of Brazil's legislative corpus from the late 1950s and early 1960s, a period that witnessed significant transformation in Brazilian governance and infrastructure development.

## Body

### Legislative Context and Historical Background

Law No. 3834-a of December 12, 1960 emerged during a transformative period in Brazilian history. The law was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek, who served as the 21st President of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. Kubitschek's presidency is particularly notable for the "50 Years in 5" development plan, which aimed to advance Brazil's industrialization and infrastructure, most famously symbolized by the construction of the new capital city of Brasília, which was inaugurated in 1960.

The year 1960 itself was significant for Brazil: the capital was transferred from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília on April 22, 1960, marking a profound administrative and symbolic transformation. Law No. 3834-a was enacted later that same year, on December 12, 1960, representing one of the final significant legislative actions of Kubitschek's administration before his term concluded in 1961.

This legislative context explains the law's focus on special budgetary credit (Crédito Especial)—such mechanisms were essential for financing the massive infrastructure projects and developmental initiatives undertaken during this period of accelerated modernization. The inclusion of judicial matters reflects the broader administrative restructuring that accompanied the transfer of the capital and the reorganization of federal governmental functions.

### Legal Nature and Classification

Law No. 3834-a is classified as a statute, which constitutes a fundamental category in legal taxonomy. A statute is defined as a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts passed by legislatures, executive orders, and by-laws. In the Brazilian legal system, statutes represent the concrete manifestation of statutory law, serving as the official record of legal rules enacted by governmental authority.

The classification of Law No. 3834-a as a statute places it within a hierarchy of legal instruments that includes the Constitution (which stands supreme), constitutional laws, ordinary laws, decrees, and regulatory measures. As an ordinary law, it operates beneath the constitutional level but carries binding legal authority throughout its jurisdiction.

In knowledge organization systems, statutes like Law No. 3834-a are considered instances of "legal term or legal concept" and are subclassified under "written work," "document," and "rule." This classification reflects the dual nature of statutes as both legal instruments and documentary artifacts that must be formally recorded and published.

### Subject Matter: Special Budgetary Credit (Crédito Especial)

One of the primary subjects addressed by Law No. 3834-a is special budgetary credit, known in Portuguese as "Crédito Especial." This concept refers to extraordinary financial authorizations that allow the federal government to expend funds beyond the parameters established in the regular annual budget law (Lei Orçamentária Anual).

In Brazilian budgetary law, special budgetary credits serve several essential functions:

- They enable the government to address unforeseen expenses arising from natural disasters, economic emergencies, or other extraordinary circumstances.
- They provide funding for major projects that were not anticipated during the budget planning process but which require immediate implementation.
- They allow for the reallocation of resources when initial budget projections prove insufficient or when new priorities emerge during the fiscal year.

The legal framework for special budgetary credits requires explicit legislative authorization, which is provided through laws such as No. 3834-a. This requirement ensures democratic oversight of extraordinary government expenditures and maintains the principle of legislative control over public finances—a cornerstone of democratic governance.

### Subject Matter: Judicial Administration (Judiciário)

The law also addresses matters related to the judiciary (Judiciário), reflecting the interconnected nature of budgetary and judicial administration in the Brazilian federal system. This connection recognizes that the judicial branch, like other branches of government, requires proper financial resources to function effectively.

The inclusion of judicial matters in Law No. 3834-a likely relates to:

- Budgetary provisions for the federal courts
- Administrative organization of the judicial branch
- Personnel and infrastructure funding for courts
- Implementation of judicial reforms or organizational changes

This dual focus on budgetary and judicial matters illustrates the holistic approach to governance reflected in Brazilian legislation, where related governmental functions are often addressed in comprehensive statutory instruments.

### Official Publication and Legal Effect

Law No. 3834-a was officially published in Brasília, the newly established capital of Brazil. This publication in the federal capital represented the formal entry of the law into Brazil's legislative corpus, making it effective throughout the national territory.

The law's official citation—"Lei nº 3834-a/1960"—follows the standard Brazilian convention for referencing federal legislation. This citation format indicates the law number (3834-a), the year of enactment (1960), and the type of legal instrument (Lei, meaning Law).

The official text of the law remains available through multiple official channels:

- The Presidency of the Republic's legislation portal (legislacao.presidencia.gov.br)
- The Brazilian government publishing portal (planalto.gov.br)
- The LEXML legal database, which provides structured access to Brazilian legislation

This continued accessibility exemplifies the principle that statutes are public documents that should be readily available to citizens, legal practitioners, and researchers.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework

Law No. 3834-a exists within a complex web of legal relationships that define its place in Brazilian law:

- **Constitutional Foundation:** The law operates under the authority of the 1946 Constitution of Brazil, which was in effect at the time of enactment. This constitution established the framework for federal legislative authority and budgetary procedures.
- **Legislative Process:** As a statute, the law was created through the legislative process involving presidential promulgation, reflecting the hybrid executive-legislative model of Brazilian lawmaking.
- **Statutory Law Hierarchy:** The law ranks below the Constitution and constitutional laws but above executive decrees and administrative regulations.
- **Implementation Authority:** The law delegates implementation authority to relevant federal agencies, particularly those responsible for budget execution and judicial administration.

### Legal Citation and Documentation

Law No. 3834-a is documented in multiple legal information systems:

- **LEXML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-12-12;3834-a—a unique identifier used in Brazilian legal databases
- **Official Portal Citation:** The law appears in the Presidency's legislative database with the reference "LEI, nº 3834-A, ano 1960"
- **Legal Citation Form:** "Lei nº 3834-a/1960" is the standard abbreviated reference used in legal documents and academic literature

This comprehensive documentation ensures the law's traceability and facilitates its application in legal proceedings, academic research, and governmental administration.

### Language and Form

The law was enacted in Brazilian Portuguese, reflecting the official language of Brazil and the requirements for legal instruments within the Brazilian jurisdiction. The use of Portuguese ensures that the law is accessible to all Brazilian citizens and legal practitioners, maintaining the principle of legal certainty through clear communication.

The formal structure of the law follows Brazilian legislative conventions, including:

- Numbered articles establishing specific legal provisions
- Definitions of key terms where necessary
- Provisions regarding implementation and effective dates
- References to related legislation where applicable

### Contemporary Relevance

While enacted in 1960, Law No. 3834-a remains part of Brazil's active legal corpus unless explicitly revoked or superseded. Brazilian law generally maintains the validity of older statutes unless they are expressly repealed or become incompatible with subsequent constitutional amendments or newer legislation.

The law's provisions regarding special budgetary credit and judicial administration continue to reflect fundamental aspects of Brazilian governmental organization, though the specific provisions may have been modified, supplemented, or replaced by subsequent legislation over the more than six decades since its enactment.

For legal researchers, historians, and practitioners studying Brazilian legal development, Law No. 3834-a provides valuable insight into the legislative priorities and administrative approaches of the Kubitschek administration, as well as the broader evolution of Brazilian public finance and judicial administration.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-12-12;3834-a)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3834-A&ano=1960&data=12/12/1960&ato=9a5cXW650dVRVTf76)