# Law No. 6131 of November 7, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105650399](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105650399)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6131-of-november-7-1974

## Summary
Law No. 6131 of November 7, 1974, is a Brazilian federal statute enacted to authorize a special budgetary adjustment known as a "Credito Especial" and to address matters concerning Regional Labor Courts. Promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel, this law serves as a formal written document that creates specific legal norms within the Brazilian judicial and fiscal framework. It remains a foundational piece of legislation in Brazil's legal history, specifically targeting the administrative and financial operations of the labor justice system.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6131, de 7 de novembro de 1974.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6131/1974.
- **Publication Date:** November 7, 1974.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil.
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil).
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies exclusively to the jurisdiction of Brazil.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Instance Of:** Statute (a formal written document that creates law).
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgating Official:** Ernesto Geisel (served as President at the time of promulgation).
- **Main Subject 1:** Special budgetary adjustment (stated as "Credito Especial").
- **Main Subject 2:** Regional Labor Courts (stated as "Tribunal Regional Do Trabalho" or TRT).
- **Main Subject 3:** Labor Court (stated as "Justiça Do Trabalho").
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-07;6131.
- **Official Online Source:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6131.htm.
- **Alternative Source:** https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-07;6131.
- **Determination Method:** Promulgation.
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 6131/1974?**
The law was enacted to authorize a special budgetary adjustment, specifically a "Credito Especial," and to regulate aspects related to the Regional Labor Courts and the broader Labor Court system. It functions as a fiscal and administrative instrument within the Brazilian federal government.

**Who was responsible for enacting this legislation?**
The statute was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and formally promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on November 7, 1974. This action took place during the presidency of Geisel, who held the executive authority to sign the law into effect.

**Where can the official text of this law be accessed?**
The full text is available online through the official Planalto website at the URL https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6131.htm. It is also indexed in the LexML Brazil system under the unique identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-07;6131.

**Which specific legal entities does this law govern?**
The legislation explicitly targets the "Regional Labor Courts" (Tribunal Regional Do Trabalho) and the general "Labor Court" (Justiça Do Trabalho) system. It also addresses the financial mechanisms required to support these judicial bodies through special budgetary credits.

**In what language and jurisdiction does this law operate?**
The law is written in Brazilian Portuguese and applies strictly to the jurisdiction of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It is a federal statute, meaning it holds authority across the entire national territory of Brazil.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 6131 of 1974 is significant because it provides the legal and financial mechanism necessary for the operation of Brazil's labor justice system during a critical period in the country's history. By authorizing a "Credito Especial," the law ensured that Regional Labor Courts had the immediate fiscal resources required to function, addressing potential budgetary shortfalls that could hinder judicial proceedings. This legislation highlights the intersection of fiscal policy and judicial administration, demonstrating how the executive branch (under President Geisel) utilized statutory law to maintain the operational integrity of the labor courts.

Furthermore, as a federal statute, it represents a concrete manifestation of statutory law in Brazil, serving as a binding legal norm that courts and administrators must follow. Its existence in the public domain ensures that legal professionals, historians, and citizens can access the specific rules governing labor court funding and administration from that era. The law remains a vital reference point for understanding the evolution of Brazil's labor justice infrastructure and the fiscal strategies employed by the government in the 1970s to support it.

## Notable For
- **Specific Fiscal Authorization:** It is distinct for explicitly authorizing a "Credito Especial" (special credit) to fund specific government operations.
- **Targeted Judicial Reform:** The law specifically focuses on the administrative and financial needs of the "Regional Labor Courts" and the "Labor Court" system.
- **Historical Context:** It was promulgated during the presidency of Ernesto Geisel, a key figure in Brazil's military dictatorship era (1964–1985).
- **Unique Identifier:** It holds the permanent LexML Brazil identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-07;6131`, ensuring its persistence in digital legal archives.
- **Dual Subject Matter:** Unlike many laws focusing on a single topic, it addresses both budgetary adjustments and the structure of labor justice simultaneously.
- **Official Publication:** It was published in the capital city of Brasília, reflecting the centralized nature of Brazilian federal legislation.
- **Digital Accessibility:** The law is fully accessible via the Planalto government portal, adhering to modern standards for open government data.

## Body

### Definition and Legal Classification
Law No. 6131 of November 7, 1974, is classified as a **statute**, which is a formal written document that creates law. In the context of Brazilian jurisprudence, it falls under the category of federal legislation enacted by the National Congress and promulgated by the President. As a statute, it is a specific type of "written work" and "document" that functions as a "rule" within the legal system. It is distinct from general concepts of "legislation" as it represents the finalized, enacted text rather than the process of lawmaking. The law is an instance of a "legal term or legal concept" and serves as a manifestation of statutory law. Structurally, it is composed of "legal norms" and is a part of the broader concepts of "law" and "legal act."

### Legislative History and Promulgation
The legislative process for this statute culminated on November 7, 1974, when it was officially promulgated. The approval was granted by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**, with **Ernesto Geisel** serving as the head of state who signed the act. The determination method for this enactment was "promulgation," signifying the final step in the legislative process where the executive branch certifies the law's validity. The law was published in **Brasília**, the federal capital, ensuring its immediate availability to the national administration. The date of publication, November 7, 1974, marks the inception of its legal force. This timeline places the law within the political context of the Geisel administration, a period characterized by the continuation of the military government in Brazil.

### Main Subjects and Scope
The statute addresses two primary areas of governance: fiscal management and labor justice administration.
1.  **Special Budgetary Adjustment:** The law authorizes a "Credito Especial" (Special Credit). This mechanism allows the government to allocate funds for specific purposes that were not included in the original annual budget, ensuring flexibility in fiscal management.
2.  **Labor Justice System:** The legislation explicitly targets the **Regional Labor Courts** (Tribunal Regional Do Trabalho - TRT) and the **Labor Court** (Justiça Do Trabalho). These entities are the primary beneficiaries and subjects of the law's provisions. The statute likely outlines the financial requirements or administrative adjustments necessary for these courts to operate effectively.

### Jurisdiction and Applicability
Law No. 6131/1974 applies to the **jurisdiction of Brazil**, meaning its legal force extends across the entire territory of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It is a federal law, superseding state or municipal regulations in matters where it applies. The language of the work is **Brazilian Portuguese**, which is the official language of the country and the medium through which the legal norms are communicated. The law is binding on all branches of government, judicial bodies, and citizens within the Brazilian legal sphere.

### Digital Preservation and Identifiers
To ensure long-term accessibility and legal certainty, the law has been assigned several unique identifiers in digital and library systems:
-   **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-07;6131`. This Uniform Resource Name (URN) provides a persistent link to the law within the Brazilian legal metadata system.
-   **Official URL:** The text is hosted on the official government portal at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6131.htm`.
-   **Alternative Repository:** The law is also indexed at `https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-07;6131`.
-   **Wikidata:** The entity is described as a "Brazilian law" and is linked to the broader concept of "statute."
-   **Legal Citation:** It is formally cited in legal documents as "Lei nº 6131/1974."

### Relationship to Broader Legal Concepts
This statute exemplifies the relationship between **draft laws** and **legislation**. It represents the final product of the legislative process, transforming a draft into a binding "legal act." As a statute, it is a subclass of "written work" and "document," serving as the physical or formal expression of the legal rule. It is distinct from "Wet" (a Dutch term for law) and general "Law" concepts, being specifically tied to the Brazilian legal tradition. The law is part of the "Category:Act" in knowledge organization systems, highlighting its status as a formal legislative instrument. Its creation was caused by the act of "legislation" and follows the procedural steps of "draft laws."

### Contextual Significance in Brazilian Law
Within the Brazilian legal framework, Law No. 6131/1974 serves as a critical example of how the government manages the intersection of budget and justice. By creating a "Credito Especial," the law addresses the dynamic nature of public spending, allowing for immediate financial support to the labor courts. This is particularly relevant for the **Regional Labor Courts**, which handle a high volume of labor disputes and require stable funding to maintain judicial efficiency. The law's existence ensures that the **Labor Court** system has the necessary resources to fulfill its mandate, thereby supporting the rule of law and the rights of workers in Brazil. Its preservation in digital archives ensures that future legal scholars and practitioners can study the fiscal and judicial policies of the 1970s.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-07;6131)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6131&ano=1974&data=07/11/1974&ato=617oXVq5kenRVTd22)