# Law No. 4237 of June 24, 1963

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647927](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647927)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4237-of-june-24-1963

## Summary
Law No. 4237 of June 24, 1963 is a Brazilian statute enacted to authorize a special budgetary adjustment for public works and administrative purposes, particularly in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President João Goulart and remains accessible through official legal repositories.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 4237, de 24 de junho de 1963
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil
- **Classification:** Statute (formal legal document)
- **Publication Date:** June 24, 1963
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (President João Goulart)
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4237/1963
- **Language of Record:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Main Subjects:** Special budgetary adjustment ("Crédito Especial"), Rio de Janeiro, construction, Ministry of War of Brazil, municipalities
- **Instance Of:** Statute
- **Applies To Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-06-24;4237
- **Full Text Available At:** [Presidência da República website](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4237.htm)
- **Part of Wikidata Focus List:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is Law No. 4237 of June 24, 1963?**  
Law No. 4237 of June 24, 1963 is a Brazilian federal statute that authorizes a special budgetary credit. It was designed to fund specific administrative and construction-related expenditures, particularly within the state of Rio de Janeiro and involving the Ministry of War.

**Who enacted Law No. 4237?**  
It was enacted by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically under the administration of President João Goulart, on June 24, 1963.

**What is the legal subject matter of Law No. 4237?**  
The law primarily deals with a special budgetary adjustment ("Crédito Especial") and includes provisions related to construction projects, municipal governance, and the Ministry of War. It specifically targets the state of Rio de Janeiro.

**Is Law No. 4237 still accessible?**  
Yes, the full text of the law is available online through official Brazilian legal databases, including the Presidência da República's legislation portal and LexML Brazil.

**What language is the law written in?**  
The law is written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4237 of June 24, 1963 represents a specific instance of Brazil's mid-20th-century fiscal policy mechanisms, particularly in the context of post-war economic adjustments and infrastructure development. As a statute authorizing special budgetary credits, it reflects the government's efforts to allocate funds for targeted public expenditures during a period of political and economic transition. Its existence contributes to the historical record of Brazil's legislative responses to administrative and infrastructural needs, particularly in the strategically important state of Rio de Janeiro. For legal researchers, historians, and policymakers, it serves as a case study in mid-century Brazilian fiscal governance and legislative-executive coordination.

## Notable For
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the presidency of João Goulart, a period marked by significant political and economic reforms in Brazil.
- **Specific Fiscal Instrument:** Authorizes a "Crédito Especial" (special budgetary credit), a distinct mechanism in Brazilian public finance.
- **Targeted Geographic Scope:** Focuses on the state of Rio de Janeiro, which was the federal capital until 1960 and remained a key administrative center.
- **Involvement of Key Ministries:** Includes provisions related to the Ministry of War, indicating its relevance to military infrastructure or operations.
- **Legal Accessibility:** Fully digitized and available through official legal repositories such as LexML and the Presidência da República website.
- **Part of Legislative Corpus:** Included in the WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its recognition as a significant legal document within Brazil's legislative history.

## Body

### Legislative Details and Classification
Law No. 4237 of June 24, 1963 is classified as a statute, a formal written document that creates law. As such, it is part of Brazil's statutory legal framework and represents a concrete manifestation of legislative action. It is indexed under the LexML Brazil identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-06-24;4237`, confirming its status as a federal legislative act.

### Enactment and Approval
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil on June 24, 1963. The approving authority was President João Goulart, who served as the head of state during this period. The promulgation of the law was conducted under the formal process of "promulgation," as noted in the determination method qualifier.

### Jurisdiction and Legal Framework
Law No. 4237 applies to the jurisdiction of Brazil and is part of the country's federal legal system. It is written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil, and is cited legally as Lei nº 4237/1963. The law is accessible through official channels, including the government's legal portal at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4237.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4237.htm).

### Subject Matter and Policy Focus
The main subject of the law is a special budgetary adjustment ("Crédito Especial"), indicating its role in modifying or supplementing the federal budget for specific purposes. The law specifically addresses:
- The state of Rio de Janeiro, which was a focal point of national administration and development.
- Construction-related expenditures, suggesting infrastructure or building projects.
- The Ministry of War of Brazil, implying involvement in military-related infrastructure or operations.
- Municipalities, indicating that the law may have had implications for local governance or funding.

### Historical and Political Context
Enacted in 1963, the law was passed during a period of significant political and economic transformation in Brazil. João Goulart's presidency (1961–1964) was marked by efforts to implement social and economic reforms, often amidst political instability. The authorization of special budgetary credits like those in Law No. 4237 reflects the government's attempt to manage fiscal policy in a challenging environment.

### Digital Preservation and Accessibility
The law is preserved digitally and is part of Brazil's open legal data initiatives. It is included in the LexML Brazil project, which aims to provide structured access to Brazilian legal documents. Its inclusion in the WikiProject Brazilian Laws underscores its recognition as a document of historical and legal significance.

### Relation to Broader Legal Concepts
As a statute, Law No. 4237 fits within the broader category of legislative acts that form the basis of statutory law. Statutes are formal documents that create legal norms and are distinct from other forms of legal instruments such as executive orders or judicial rulings. They are typically the result of legislative processes and are foundational to the legal systems in which they operate.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-06-24;4237)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4237&ano=1963&data=24/06/1963&ato=4a5UTUq50MVRVTebb)