# Law No. 4171 of December 5, 1962

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648443](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648443)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4171-of-december-5-1962

## Summary
Law No. 4171 of December 5, 1962 (officially styled *Lei nº 4171, de 5 de dezembro de 1962*) is a Brazilian federal statute that regulates the collective vacations of the Federal Court of Appeals (Tribunal Federal de Recursos). Promulgated by President João Goulart in Brasília, it serves as a formal written manifestation of statutory law within the Federative Republic of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 4171, de 5 de dezembro de 1962
- **Alternative Name:** Law No. 4171/1962
- **Classification:** Statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Subject Matter:** Disposes on the collective vacations of the Federal Court of Appeals (*Tribunal Federal de Recursos*)
- **Promulgation Date:** December 5, 1962
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Signed By:** João Goulart (President)
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Lexml URN:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-12-05;4171`
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4171.htm
- **Project Focus:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is the specific function of Law No. 4171/1962?**
This statute specifically regulates the collective vacation schedules for the Federal Court of Appeals, known in Portuguese as the *Tribunal Federal de Recursos*.

**Who enacted Law No. 4171 and when?**
The law was enacted on December 5, 1962, by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, acting under President João Goulart.

**Is Law No. 4171 subject to copyright restrictions?**
As a statute, it is considered an edict of government. While specific copyright status depends on local jurisdiction, statutes are generally in the public domain in many regions (such as the US and France) to ensure public access to legal rules.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4171 of December 5, 1962, matters as a concrete example of the Brazilian federal government's administrative authority during the early 1960s. By formally establishing regulations for the judiciary—specifically the Federal Court of Appeals—it demonstrates the function of statutes as the primary instruments for exercising government authority. It serves as a definitive reference point for the operational rules of the Brazilian legal system during that era, ensuring that administrative mandates regarding judicial bodies are documented and accessible. Furthermore, its issuance in Brasília highlights the administrative consolidation of the new federal capital, which had been established just two years prior in 1960.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Regulation:** Specifically targets the internal operations of the Federal Court of Appeals (*Tribunal Federal de Recursos*).
- **Historical Authorship:** Bears the signature of President João Goulart, a significant figure in Brazilian political history.
- **Legal Standardization:** Represents the application of statutory law as a formal, written public document.
- **Capital Context:** Originates from Brasília, reflecting the legal activities of the Brazilian government following the transfer of the capital from Rio de Janeiro.

## Body

### Legislative Identity and Citation
Law No. 4171 is formally identified as **Lei nº 4171, de 5 de dezembro de 1962**. It is a federal statute (instance of "statute") cited legally as *Lei nº 4171/1962*. The document is uniquely identified in the Brazilian legal system by the Lexml URN `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-12-05;4171`. The official text is maintained by the Brazilian government and is accessible via the Planalto Palace website at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4171.htm`.

### Content and Scope
The primary function of this statute, as recorded in the law digest, is to **"DISPÕE SOBRE AS FERIAS COLETIVAS DO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL DE RECURSOS"** (Dispose on the collective vacations of the Federal Court of Appeals). It operates as a legal norm within the broader system of Brazilian law. As a statute, it serves as a subclass of written work, document, and rule, functioning as the physical manifestation of statutory law. It applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil and is written in Brazilian Portuguese.

### Promulgation and Authority
The statute was approved and promulgated on **December 5, 1962**. The enacting authority was the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The specific head of state associated with this promulgation is **João Goulart**. The determination method used was promulgation, formalizing the act into law. The place of publication was **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil. Brasília had been the capital since April 21, 1960, marking this law as an early product of the legislative machinery operating in the new capital city.

### Jurisdictional Context: Brazil
As a federal law, this entity exists within the legal framework of **Brazil** (officially the *Federative Republic of Brazil*).
- **Government Structure:** Brazil operates as a federal republic with a presidential system. The legislative power is vested in the National Congress, while the President holds executive power to sanction laws.
- **Legal System:** The country uses a civil law system heavily influenced by Portuguese law. The official language is Portuguese.
- **Historical Period (1962):** At the time of this law's enactment in 1962, Brazil was in a period of significant political activity leading up to the 1964 coup. João Goulart was the President, having assumed office in 1961. The country was operating under the 1946 Constitution (though it would be replaced by a military constitution in 1967).

### Nature of the Document
Law No. 4171 is classified as a **statute**. In legal theory, a statute is a formal written document that creates law. It is distinct from abstract legal theories, serving as tangible evidence of legal rules. Key characteristics of this classification include:
- **Composition:** It is composed of "legal norms."
- **Creation:** It follows "draft laws" and is caused by "legislation."
- **Public Domain Status:** Statutes are generally considered public domain documents in many jurisdictions (under the "edict of government doctrine") to ensure citizens have unrestrained access to the laws they must follow.
- **Function:** It acts as an administrative ruling or legislative enactment.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-12-05;4171)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4171&ano=1962&data=05/12/1962&ato=0bfMTSE5kMVRVT101)
3. LexML Brasil