# Law No. 4140 of September 21, 1962 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105648388](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648388) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4140-of-september-21-1962 ## Summary **Law No. 4140 of September 21, 1962** (Lei nº 4140) is a Brazilian statute enacted to modify the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT). Promulgated by President João Goulart in Brasília, it serves as a formal written legal document and a manifestation of statutory law within the Federative Republic of Brazil. ## Key Facts - **Official Title:** Lei nº 4140, de 21 de setembro de 1962 - **Also Known As:** Lei nº 4140/1962 - **Entity Type:** Statute (formal written document that creates or modifies law) - **Enactment Date:** September 21, 1962 - **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil - **Promulgated By:** João Goulart (President) - **Jurisdiction:** Brazil - **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil - **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese - **Main Subject:** Consolidation of Labor Laws (Consolidação Das Leis Do Trabalho / CLT); Change/Alteration (Alteração) - **Lexml Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-09-21;4140` - **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4140.htm - **Wikimedia Project:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws ## FAQs **What is the legal function of Law No. 4140?** It functions as a statute, which is a formal written document used to create or modify law. Specifically, this law alters the provisions of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT). **Who signed Law No. 4140 into effect?** The law was promulgated by João Goulart in his capacity as the head of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil on September 21, 1962. **Where is the official text of Law No. 4140 accessible?** The full text is available in Brazilian Portuguese on the official Planalto Palace website at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4140.htm`. ## Why It Matters Law No. 4140 of September 21, 1962, is significant as a statutory instrument within the Brazilian legal system, specifically targeting the **Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT)**. As a formal manifestation of statutory law, it represents the exercise of government authority to regulate labor relations during the early 1960s, a politically volatile period in Brazil preceding the 1964 coup. By formally amending the CLT—the primary corpus of labor rights in Brazil—this statute contributed to the evolution of labor standards and legal norms that govern the relationship between employers and employees in the country. Furthermore, as a statute, it embodies the principle of the "edict of government," ensuring that legal mandates are documented, accessible, and enforceable. Its existence as a public domain document guarantees that citizens have unrestrained access to the laws they must follow, reinforcing the rule of law. ## Notable For - **Amendment of Labor Law:** Specifically targets and alters the **Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT)**, the core legislation governing Brazilian labor relations. - **Historical Context:** Promulgated during the presidency of **João Goulart**, a period marked by significant social and political mobilization in Brazil. - **Legal Classification:** Identified as a **Statute**, distinguishing it as a formal written document that results in statutory law, distinct from unwritten customs or executive decrees. - **Open Access:** As an official legal document, it falls under the public domain, ensuring unrestricted public access to its content. ## Body ### Legislative Identity and Classification Law No. 4140 is formally classified as a **statute** (Estatuto/Lei). In legal taxonomy, a statute is defined as a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts and legislative enactments. It serves as a concrete manifestation of statutory law and contains legal norms. Structured data identifiers for this entity include the Lexml Brazil ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-09-21;4140` and the legal citation `Lei nº 4140/1962`. It is listed as an instance of a "statute" within the scope of WikiProject Brazilian Laws. ### Subject Matter and Scope The primary focus of Law No. 4140 is the **Consolidation of Labor Laws** (Portuguese: *Consolidação Das Leis Do Trabalho* or *CLT*). The legislation is explicitly categorized as a "change" or "alteration" (*Alteração*), indicating its function is to amend, update, or modify the existing text of the CLT. This jurisdiction applies federally to **Brazil**. ### Enactment and Authority The law was enacted on **September 21, 1962**, and published in **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil. The authority behind the law is the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**, with the promulgation performed by President **João Goulart**. This period in Brazilian history (1961–1964) was characterized by intense political activity and debates over labor rights, making legislative modifications to the CLT a critical tool for social policy. ### Language and Publication The official text of the law is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**. As a legal edict of the government, it is part of the public domain. The official digital version of the statute is hosted by the Brazilian government at the Planalto Palace website (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4140.htm`), ensuring accessibility for legal professionals and the general public. ### Context of the Jurisdiction (Brazil) Brazil operates as a federal republic with a civil law system heavily reliant on codified statutes and consolidated laws like the CLT. The country gained independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822, and its current capital, Brasília (where the law was published), was established in 1960. As the largest country in South America, Brazil's legislative output, such as Law No. 4140, plays a central role in defining the rights and obligations of its workforce. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-09-21;4140) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4140&ano=1962&data=21/09/1962&ato=c4eIza61kMVRVT7cc)