# Law No. 4203 of February 7, 1963

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648430](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648430)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4203-of-february-7-1963

## Summary
Law No. 4203 of February 7, 1963, is a Brazilian statute enacted to amend Annex I of Law 3.780 of July 12, 1960, and establish additional provisions. Promulgated during the presidency of João Goulart, it forms part of Brazil’s statutory law framework. The law is officially cited as "Lei nº 4203/1963" and remains accessible via governmental legal databases.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** February 7, 1963.
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Type:** Statute (formal written legal document).
- **Amended Legislation:** Law 3.780 of July 12, 1960 (specifically Annex I).
- **Approved By:** President João Goulart (promulgation on February 7, 1963).
- **Legal Citation:** "Lei nº 4203, de 7 de fevereiro de 1963."
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Publication Date:** February 7, 1963.
- **Access:** Available at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4203.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4203.htm).
- **Identifier:** LexML Brazil ID: `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-02-07;4203`.

## FAQs
**When was Law No. 4203 enacted?**  
Law No. 4203 was enacted on February 7, 1963, during the government of President João Goulart.

**What legislation did Law No. 4203 amend?**  
It amended Annex I of Law 3.780 of July 12, 1960, and introduced additional provisions.

**Where can the full text of Law No. 4203 be accessed?**  
The law is publicly available via the Brazilian Government’s official legal database at [https://www.planalto.gov.br](https://www.planalto.gov.br).

**What legal system does Law No. 4203 belong to?**  
It is part of Brazil’s statutory law, applicable at the federal level within the Federative Republic of Brazil.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4203 of February 7, 1963, matters as it reflects Brazil’s legislative evolution during a politically significant period. By amending Law 3.780/1960, it contributed to the refinement of legal frameworks governing specific sectors or processes, ensuring adaptability to contemporary governance needs. As a public statute, it underscores the transparency of Brazil’s legal system, with free access to its provisions reinforcing democratic principles. Its enactment during João Goulart’s presidency contextualizes it within Brazil’s broader political history, particularly the pre-military dictatorship era.

## Notable For
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Enacted under President João Goulart, a key figure in Brazil’s political history.
- **Amendment of Prior Law:** Directly modified Law 3.780/1960, demonstrating legislative continuity.
- **Public Accessibility:** Freely available via official government portals, aligning with open governance practices.
- **Historical Context:** Reflects legislative activity preceding the 1964 military coup, a pivotal moment in Brazilian history.

## Body

### Legislative Context
Law No. 4203 was promulgated on February 7, 1963, during the administration of President João Goulart (1961–1964). This period preceded the 1964 military coup, situating the law within a broader context of political and institutional changes in Brazil. The statute amended Annex I of Law 3.780, enacted on July 12, 1960, which originally addressed specific regulatory or administrative matters. By modifying this annex, Law No. 4203 updated existing legal provisions to align with contemporary governance needs.

### Enactment and Approval
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, with President João Goulart serving as the authority for its promulgation. This process adhered to Brazil’s constitutional framework, wherein the President acts as the head of the executive branch and formally sanctions legislation. The promulgation date (February 7, 1963) marks the law’s entry into force, following legislative approval by Brazil’s National Congress.

### Content and Amendments
Law No. 4203 specifically altered Annex I of Law 3.780/1960. While the source material does not detail the exact nature of these amendments, the action underscores the dynamic nature of statutory law, which evolves through legislative revisions. The inclusion of "outras providências" (other provisions) indicates that the law addressed additional matters beyond the amendment, reflecting a common legislative practice to consolidate multiple updates into a single statute.

### Accessibility and Documentation
The law is cataloged in Brazil’s LexML system under the identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-02-07;4203`, ensuring its integration into the national legal database. Public access is facilitated through the official portal [https://www.planalto.gov.br](https://www.planalto.gov.br), where the full text is available. This accessibility complies with Brazil’s legal information policy, which mandates transparency and free access to statutory documents.

### Historical Significance
As a product of the early 1960s, Law No. 4203 represents a snapshot of legislative activity during a transformative period in Brazilian history. The early 1960s were marked by political instability, culminating in the 1964 military coup that established a dictatorship lasting until 1985. The law’s enactment during this time highlights the functioning of democratic institutions prior to the regime change, contributing to scholarly and historical analyses of Brazil’s legal and political development.

### Technical Specifications
- **Language:** The law is written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil.
- **Jurisdiction:** It applies exclusively to the Federative Republic of Brazil, with no extraterritorial reach indicated.
- **Legal Nature:** Classified as a statute, it embodies statutory law as defined under Brazilian legal theory, distinct from constitutional or regulatory norms.

### Related Entities
- **President João Goulart:** The head of state responsible for promulgating the law, whose administration (1961–1964) was marked by significant political turmoil.
- **Law 3.780/1960:** The parent legislation modified by Law No. 4203, originally enacted on July 12, 1960.
- **LexML Brazil:** The digital system through which the law is formally registered and accessible, part of Brazil’s e-governance infrastructure.

### Preservation and Reference
The law is preserved in Brazil’s official legal archives and referenced in historical and legal scholarship. Its identifier (LexML ID) and citation ("Lei nº 4203/1963") ensure precise documentation in academic, judicial, and administrative contexts. This systematic cataloging aligns with international standards for legal informatics, facilitating domestic and foreign research into Brazil’s legislative history.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-02-07;4203)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4203&ano=1963&data=07/02/1963&ato=d74kXRq50MVRVTf30)
3. LexML Brasil