# Law No. 4015 of December 16, 1961

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648095](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648095)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4015-of-december-16-1961

## Summary
**Law No. 4015 of December 16, 1961** is a Brazilian federal statute enacted during the presidency of João Goulart. It serves as a formal written legal document with specific jurisdiction over the Brazilian Army and matters related to the Ministry of the Army.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 4015, de 16 de dezembro de 1961
- **Date of Enactment:** December 16, 1961
- **Type of Legal Instrument:** Statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, promulgated by João Goulart
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4015/1961
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-16;4015
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Main Subject:** Brazilian Army (also referred to as "Ministerio Do Exercito (Me)") and "army" (Exercito)
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4015.htm
- **Classification:** Instance of a statute; subclass of written work, document, and rule.

## FAQs
**What is the purpose of Law No. 4015 of December 16, 1961?**
The law primarily addresses matters related to the Brazilian Army (Exército) and the Ministry of the Army (Ministério do Exército). Its specific provisions are detailed in the full text of the statute.

**Who signed Law No. 4015 into effect?**
The law was promulgated and approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, with João Goulart serving as the signatory authority on December 16, 1961.

**Where can the full text of this law be accessed?**
The official text of Law No. 4015 is available at the Planalto.gov.br website (https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4015.htm) and is indexed under the LexML Brazil ID: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-16;4015.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4015 of December 16, 1961, is a significant legal instrument within the Brazilian legal framework. As a federal statute, it represents a concrete manifestation of statutory law, formally documenting legal rules enacted by the government. Its focus on the Brazilian Army and the Ministry of the Army underscores its role in regulating military affairs during a pivotal period in Brazil's history, specifically under the administration of President João Goulart. By establishing clear legal norms, the statute contributes to the governance and operational standards of the country's military institutions.

## Notable For
- **Specific Military Focus:** Directly addresses the Brazilian Army and the Ministry of the Army, a subject area critical to national defense and internal order.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted on December 16, 1961, during the presidency of João Goulart, a period marked by significant political and social change in Brazil.
- **Legal Precedence:** As a federal statute, it holds a position of authority within the Brazilian legal hierarchy, serving as a formal written record of legislative action.
- **Public Accessibility:** The law is in the public domain and freely accessible online via official government portals, ensuring transparency and public knowledge of the legal rules governing military matters.

## Body

### Definition and Legal Classification
Law No. 4015 of December 16, 1961, is classified as a **statute**—a formal written document that creates law. In the context of legal taxonomy, a statute is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." It functions as a manifestation of statutory law and is composed of legal norms. This particular law is an instance of a statute, caused by "legislation" or a "legal act," and results in statutory law. Its creation follows "draft laws," and it is recognized as a foundational legal concept globally, equivalent to the `https://schema.org/Legislation` class.

### Jurisdiction and Authority
This law applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**. It was approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**, with **João Goulart** as the promulgating authority. The determination method is noted as "promulgation," which refers to the formal proclamation or declaration that a law is in effect. The law's publication date is recorded as December 16, 1961, and its place of publication is **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil. The official language of the law is **Brazilian Portuguese**.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The main subjects explicitly identified in the law are the **Brazilian Army** (referred to in the source as "Ministerio Do Exercito (Me)") and the **army** (referred to as "Exercito"). This indicates the law's provisions are specifically tailored to the organization, administration, or operational aspects of Brazil's land-based military force. As a legal instrument, it serves to establish rules and norms related to these entities, functioning as a part of the broader legal system governing the country.

### Identification and Access
The law can be uniquely identified and accessed through several official references:
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4015/1961.
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-16;4015. This identifier provides a structured, unique reference for the law within Brazil's legal information system.
- **Official URL:** The full text is available for public access at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4015.htm, hosted on the official website of the Brazilian Presidency.

### Related Entities and Context
The law is intrinsically linked to several key entities and concepts:
- **Brazil:** The country of origin and jurisdiction, a federal republic in South America with a rich history and significant global influence.
- **Statute:** The broader class of legal documents to which this law belongs, characterized by its formal written nature and role in creating statutory law.
- **João Goulart:** The President of Brazil at the time of promulgation, whose administration (1961-1964) was a defining era in the country's political landscape.
- **Brazilian Army:** The primary subject of the law, a major component of Brazil's national defense apparatus.

This interconnectedness highlights the law's role not just as an isolated legal text, but as a node within the complex web of Brazil's political, legal, and military history. Its existence as a public domain document ensures that these legal rules are accessible to all citizens, reinforcing the principles of transparency and the rule of law.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-16;4015)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4015&ano=1961&data=16/12/1961&ato=818oXWU5keVRVT620)