# Law No. 5972 of December 11, 1973

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105659879](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659879)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-5972-of-december-11-1973

## Summary
Law No. 5972 of December 11, 1973 is a Brazilian federal statute that regulates the procedure for registering real property that is either administratively identified or possessed by the Union. It was enacted to establish legal mechanisms for the formal recognition and documentation of federal land ownership.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 5972, de 11 de dezembro de 1973
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil
- **Publication Date:** December 11, 1973
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 5972/1973
- **Language of Record:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Instance Of:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Main Subject Areas:** Regulamentation, Federal Government of Brazil (União Federal), Real Property (Imóvel), Registration (Registro)
- **Digest Summary:** REGULA O PROCEDIMENTO PARA O REGISTRO DA PROPRIEDADE DE BENS IMOVEIS DISCRIMINADOS ADMINISTRATIVAMENTE OU POSSUIDOS PELA UNIÃO
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Promulgated By:** Emílio Garrastazu Médici (President at time of enactment)
- **Applies To Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1973-12-11;5972
- **Full Text Available At:** [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l5972.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l5972.htm)
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law
- **Maintained By:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs

**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 5972 of December 11, 1973?**  
The law establishes the legal procedures for registering real property that is either administratively identified or possessed by the Union. It provides a framework for the formal documentation of federal land ownership, ensuring legal clarity and control over public assets.

**Who approved and promulgated this law?**  
Law No. 5972 was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and officially promulgated by President Emílio Garrastazu Médici on December 11, 1973.

**What legal domain does this law belong to?**  
It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law, including acts, executive orders, and by-laws. It is part of Brazil's statutory law framework and falls under the broader category of legal norms.

**What is the official identifier and citation for this law?**  
The official citation is Lei nº 5972/1973, and its LexML Brazil identifier is urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1973-12-11;5972.

**In what language was the law originally published?**  
The law was published in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil.

**Where can the full text of the law be accessed?**  
The full text is available at the official government legal archive: [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l5972.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l5972.htm)

**What jurisdictions does this law apply to?**  
The law applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil, as it pertains to federal land regulation.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 5972 of December 11, 1973 plays a critical role in Brazil’s legal and administrative framework by establishing a clear process for registering real property under federal control. This is essential for ensuring legal certainty over land ownership, preventing disputes, and enabling transparent governance of public assets. It contributes to the regularization of land tenure, which is vital for both public administration and private development. The law supports the orderly management of federal real estate, which includes vast areas such as indigenous lands, conservation units, and other properties under Union jurisdiction. Its implementation aids in the demarcation and legal documentation of these lands, which is crucial for environmental protection, urban planning, and economic development. As part of Brazil’s broader legal architecture, it ensures that public land is not only identified but also formally integrated into the national registry system, enhancing accountability and reducing illegal occupation or exploitation.

## Notable For
- **Specific Regulatory Focus:** Uniquely addresses the registration procedures for real property under federal possession or administrative identification, a niche but critical area of land governance.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the military government of Emílio Garrastazu Médici, reflecting the period’s emphasis on administrative control and territorial organization.
- **Legal Integration:** Part of Brazil’s broader statutory law framework, contributing to the formalization of land rights and public asset management.
- **Official Documentation:** Fully accessible through Brazil’s official legal portal, ensuring transparency and public access to the law.
- **LexML Standardization:** Identified by a unique LexML Brazil ID, aligning with national digital legal standards for interoperability and citation.
- **Multifaceted Legal Relevance:** Tackles aspects of real property law, administrative law, and public registry systems, making it a cross-cutting legal instrument.

## Body

### History and Legislative Context
Law No. 5972 was enacted on December 11, 1973, during the presidency of Emílio Garrastazu Médici, a period marked by efforts to consolidate administrative control over Brazil’s vast territory. The law emerged from the need to regulate the registration of real property that was either identified administratively or already possessed by the Union, ensuring legal clarity and preventing disputes over federal land. It was published in Brasília and is written in Brazilian Portuguese, reflecting the official language of the country’s legal system.

### Legal Classification and Structure
As a statute, Law No. 5972 is a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. It is classified under statutory law and is composed of legal norms that govern the registration of real property. The law is part of the broader legal framework that includes the concepts of "law" and "legal act" and is a manifestation of statutory law. It is distinct from but related to concepts such as "draft laws" and "legislation."

### Subject Matter and Regulatory Scope
The law’s primary subject areas include:
- **Regulamentation** (Regulamentação)
- **Federal Government of Brazil** (União Federal)
- **Real Property** (Imóvel)
- **Registration** (Registro)

Its core function is to regulate the procedure for registering real property that is either administratively identified or possessed by the Union. This includes lands such as indigenous territories, conservation units, and other federally managed areas. The law ensures that these properties are formally documented and integrated into Brazil’s national registry system.

### Promulgation and Legal Authority
Law No. 5972 was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and officially promulgated by President Emílio Garrastazu Médici on December 11, 1973. It applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil and is part of the country’s statutory law. The law is cited as Lei nº 5972/1973 and is identified by the LexML Brazil ID urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1973-12-11;5972.

### Official Documentation and Accessibility
The full text of the law is available through Brazil’s official legal portal at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l5972.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l5972.htm). This ensures public access to the law and supports transparency in legal governance. The law is maintained as part of the WikiProject Brazilian Laws, which aims to catalog and preserve Brazil’s legal heritage.

### Impact on Land Governance and Public Policy
Law No. 5972 contributes to the formalization of land tenure in Brazil, particularly for properties under federal control. It supports environmental protection efforts by ensuring that conservation areas and indigenous lands are legally documented. The law also aids in urban planning and economic development by providing a clear legal framework for land use and ownership. Its implementation reflects Brazil’s commitment to transparent governance and the rule of law, particularly in the management of public assets.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1973-12-11;5972)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=5972&ano=1973&data=11/12/1973&ato=9f1kXUq5EenRVTc44)
3. LexML Brasil