# Law No. 4066 of May 28, 1962

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648212](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648212)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4066-of-may-28-1962

## Summary

Law No. 4066 of May 28, 1962 (Lei nº 4066/1962) is a Brazilian statute that establishes norms for the validity of employee resignation requests and contractual quitclaim documents. Promulgated by President João Goulart on May 28, 1962, this labor law governs the formal requirements employees must meet when submitting resignation or receiving contractual settlement documentation in Brazil. The law remains in force and applies throughout the entire Brazilian jurisdiction.

## Key Facts

- **Official Title:** Lei nº 4066, de 28 de maio de 1962
- **Publication Date:** May 28, 1962
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **President:** João Goulart (at time of promulgation)
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Country Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Legal Classification:** Statute (formal written legal document)
- **LEXML Brazil Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-05-28;4066
- **Canonical Citation:** Lei nº 4066/1962
- **Official Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4066.htm
- **Primary Subject Matter:** Employment termination, employee rights, contractual quitclaims
- **Related Legal Concepts:** Device (Law), legal norm, employee, increase/accretion

## FAQs

**What is the purpose of Law No. 4066/1962?**

Law No. 4066 of May 28, 1962 establishes the formal norms and requirements for the validity of employee resignation requests (pedido de demissão) and contractual quitclaim receipts (recibo de quitação contratual) signed by employees in Brazil. It defines the legal standards that must be met for these employment-related documents to be considered legally binding and valid under Brazilian labor law.

**Who does Law No. 4066/1962 apply to?**

This statute applies to all employees within Brazilian jurisdiction. As a federal law of Brazil, it governs employment relationships throughout the country, establishing uniform requirements for resignation procedures and contractual settlements that both employers and employees must follow.

**What is a "recibo de quitação contratual" under this law?**

A "recibo de quitação contratual" is a contractual quitclaim receipt—a document signed by an employee that acknowledges receipt of all benefits and payments owed by the employer under an employment contract, thereby releasing the employer from further obligations. Law No. 4066/1962 establishes the specific requirements that make such quitclaim documents legally valid.

**Is Law No. 4066/1962 still in effect?**

Yes, Law No. 4066 of May 28, 1962 remains in force in Brazil. Federal statutes in Brazil do not automatically expire unless explicitly repealed or superseded by subsequent legislation. The law continues to govern the formal validity requirements for employee resignation and quitclaim documents in Brazilian labor relations.

**Where can the full text of Law No. 4066/1962 be accessed?**

The complete text of Law No. 4066/1962 is available through the official website of the Brazilian Presidency at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4066.htm. It is also catalogued in the LEXML Brazilian legal database under the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-05-28;4066.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 4066/1962 matters because it provides the foundational legal framework for one of the most significant moments in the employment relationship: the termination of that relationship. When an employee chooses to leave a job or settles outstanding obligations with an employer, the validity of their actions depends on compliance with the requirements established by this statute. This law protects both employees and employers by ensuring that resignation requests and quitclaim documents meet clear legal standards, preventing disputes over whether a termination was properly executed.

The statute represents an important element of Brazil's labor law system, which is designed to balance the interests of workers and employers within the country's economic framework. By establishing explicit norms for the validity of these documents, Law No. 4066/1962 contributes to legal certainty in employment relationships, helping to ensure that both parties understand their rights and obligations when a employment contract ends.

Furthermore, this law reflects Brazil's broader commitment to codifying employment procedures in a manner that is accessible and enforceable. As a federal statute, it provides uniform rules across all Brazilian states, ensuring that employees in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or any other region of the country are subject to the same requirements when submitting resignations or signing quitclaim documents.

## Notable For

- **Foundational Employment Document Law:** One of the key Brazilian federal statutes governing the formal requirements for employee resignation and contractual settlement documents.
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Enacted during the administration of President João Goulart, representing Brazilian labor legislation from the early 1960s period.
- **Continued Legal Relevance:** Remains in effect over six decades after its passage, demonstrating its enduring importance to Brazilian labor relations.
- **Federal Scope:** Applies uniformly throughout all Brazilian jurisdictions, providing consistent standards for employment termination procedures nationwide.
- **Official Digital Access:** Available through official government portals, ensuring public access to Brazil's statutory labor law.

## Body

### Legislative History and Enactment

Law No. 4066 of May 28, 1962 was promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President João Goulart. The law was published in Brasília, reflecting the capital city's role as the seat of federal legislative activity since the transfer of the capital from Rio de Janeiro in 1960. The statute was enacted as part of Brazil's ongoing development of its labor law framework during the early 1960s, a period characterized by significant social and economic legislation aimed at regulating employer-employee relationships.

The law's full title, "Lei nº 4066, de 28 de maio de 1962," follows the standard Brazilian legislative numbering convention, where "Lei" indicates a statutory law enacted by the National Congress, the number identifies the specific legislation, and the date indicates the day of promulgation. This law was classified within the broader category of statutes—formal written documents that create law, including acts, executive orders, and by-laws—as defined in legal taxonomy systems.

### Legal Content and Purpose

The law's digest, as recorded in Brazilian legal databases, states: "ESTABELECE NORMAS PARA A VALIDADE DE PEDIDO DE DEMISSÃO OU RECIBO DE QUITAÇÃO CONTRATUAL, FIRMADO POR EMPREGADO." This translates to: "Establishes norms for the validity of a resignation request or contractual quitclaim signed by an employee."

The statute addresses four primary legal concepts as its main subjects: "Dispositivos" (Devices/Legal Provisions), "Acrescimo" (Increase/Accretion), "Normas" (Norms), and "Empregado" (Employee). These subjects indicate that the law provides legal provisions governing the procedural requirements employees must satisfy when submitting resignations and the formal elements required for valid quitclaim documents.

A "pedido de demissão" (resignation request) is the formal communication by which an employee voluntarily terminates their employment relationship. Under Brazilian labor law, such requests must meet specific requirements to be considered valid. Similarly, a "recibo de quitação contratual" (contractual quitclaim receipt) is a document through which an employee acknowledges receipt of all payments and benefits owed by the employer, effectively releasing the employer from further obligations related to the employment relationship.

### Jurisdictional Application

Law No. 4066/1962 applies to the entire territory of Brazil. As a federal statute, it operates uniformly across all 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District, providing consistent legal standards for employment termination procedures nationwide. This unified approach ensures that employees and employers in different regions of Brazil operate under the same regulatory framework, promoting legal certainty and equal treatment under the law.

The law's application encompasses all employment relationships governed by Brazilian labor law, which is primarily codified in the Consolidation of Labor Laws (Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho - CLT). While the CLT provides the broader framework for labor relations in Brazil, Law No. 4066/1962 addresses specific procedural requirements for the validity of termination-related documents.

### Official Identification and Citation

Law No. 4066/1962 carries several official identifiers used in Brazilian legal documentation and library systems:

- **LEXML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-05-28;4066 — The LEXML system is Brazil's primary legal information infrastructure, providing structured access to Brazilian legislation.
- **Legal Citation:** "Lei nº 4066/1962" — The standard abbreviated form used in legal references, academic works, and judicial decisions.
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4066.htm — The official text is hosted on the website of the Presidency of the Republic, specifically within the civil legislation collection covering laws from 1950-1969.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework

In the hierarchy of Brazilian law, statutes occupy a central position as formal written documents that create law. Law No. 4066/1962 exemplifies this category, representing the legislative will of the federal government as expressed through the legislative process and promulgated by the President. The law functions as a manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system, operating alongside the Constitution, constitutional amendments, and other federal statutes.

The statute relates to broader legal concepts including "legal norm" (the specific rules it establishes), "employee" (the protected class of workers it governs), and "device" (the legal provisions contained within the statute). These relationships situate Law No. 4066/1962 within the larger framework of Brazilian labor legislation and legal theory.

### Continued Relevance

Despite being enacted in 1962, Law No. 4066/1962 remains an active statute in the Brazilian legal system. Federal laws in Brazil do not expire unless explicitly repealed, and this law has not been repealed or substantially amended in a manner that would negate its core provisions. The statute continues to govern the formal requirements for employee resignation and quitclaim documents, serving as a reference point for labor courts, employers, employees, and legal practitioners when disputes arise regarding employment termination procedures.

The law's longevity reflects its fundamental nature—addressing core procedural requirements that remain relevant regardless of broader changes in labor market conditions or employment practices. While subsequent legislation may have modified specific aspects of Brazilian labor law, the foundational norms established by Law No. 4066/1962 regarding the validity of termination documents continue to form part of the legal framework governing employment relationships in Brazil.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-05-28;4066)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4066&ano=1962&data=28/05/1962&ato=324oXR61kMVRVT166)
3. LexML Brasil