# Law No. 6180 of December 11, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105660037](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105660037)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6180-of-december-11-1974

## Summary
Law No. 6180 of December 11, 1974 is a Brazilian statute enacted by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President Ernesto Geisel. This formal written document addresses legal matters related to time limits, electrical energy, debt collection, and percentage calculations, serving as a specific legal instrument within Brazil's federal jurisdiction.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Lei nº 6180, de 11 de dezembro de 1974
- **Type:** Brazilian federal statute (lei)
- **Enactment Date:** December 11, 1974
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (President Ernesto Geisel)
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to the entire territory of Brazil
- **Language:** Written in Brazilian Portuguese
- **Main Subjects:** Time limits (Prazo), electrical energy (Energia Eletrica), prorogation (Prorrogação), debt collection (Cobrança), and percentages (Percentagem)
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6180/1974
- **Publication Location:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Official Sources:**
  - Published in the Official Gazette (Diário Oficial da União)
  - Available at: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6180.htm
  - LexML Brazil ID: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6180
- **Classification:** Instance of "statute" (formal written document creating law)
- **WikiProject:** Part of WikiProject Brazilian Laws
- **Copyright Status:** As an official Brazilian legal document, it is in the public domain

## FAQs

**What is the official title and citation for this law?**
The official title is "Lei nº 6180, de 11 de dezembro de 1974" (Law No. 6180 of December 11, 1974). It is legally cited as "Lei nº 6180/1974" in Brazilian legal documentation and court proceedings.

**What specific topics does Law No. 6180 address?**
This statute primarily deals with five main subjects: time limits for legal procedures, regulations concerning electrical energy, provisions for prorogation (extension of deadlines), rules governing debt collection processes, and calculations involving percentages in legal contexts.

**Who approved this law and when?**
The law was approved and promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on December 11, 1974, during Brazil's military government period (1964-1985). It represents an official act of the Brazilian federal executive branch with legislative force.

**Where can the official text of this law be accessed?**
The complete official text is available through multiple authoritative sources: the Brazilian government's official legislation portal (https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6180.htm), the LexML Brazil legal information system (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6180), and the Presidency's legislation database.

**What is the legal status of this document in terms of copyright?**
As an official Brazilian legal document, Law No. 6180 is in the public domain. Brazilian law follows the principle that official government documents, including statutes, judicial decisions, and administrative acts, cannot be copyrighted and are freely available to the public.

**How does this law fit into Brazil's legal system?**
This statute is classified as a federal "lei" (law), which is the primary form of legislation in Brazil's civil law system. It operates within the hierarchy of Brazilian law, below the Constitution but above decrees and normative instructions, and applies uniformly across all Brazilian states and territories.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 6180 of December 11, 1974 represents an important component of Brazil's legal framework during a critical period of its modern history. Enacted during the military government era, this statute addresses practical legal mechanisms that affect both public administration and private transactions. The law's provisions on time limits and debt collection have particular significance for Brazil's legal and economic systems, providing clear rules that govern financial obligations and procedural deadlines.

The statute's focus on electrical energy regulations is especially notable given Brazil's growing energy sector during the 1970s, a period marked by significant infrastructure development and industrial expansion. By establishing legal parameters for energy-related matters, the law contributed to the regulatory framework supporting Brazil's economic growth. The inclusion of percentage calculations and prorogation provisions demonstrates the law's practical orientation toward resolving common legal and financial issues that arise in both commercial and administrative contexts.

As a federal statute, Law No. 6180 applies uniformly across Brazil's vast territory, ensuring legal consistency in matters it regulates. Its continued presence in Brazil's legal system, accessible through official government portals, demonstrates the enduring nature of well-crafted legislation. The law serves as an example of how specific statutes address technical legal issues that support the broader functioning of society and economy.

## Notable For

- **Military Era Legislation:** One of numerous laws enacted during Brazil's military government period (1964-1985)
- **Multi-Subject Scope:** Addresses five distinct but related legal topics in a single statute
- **Energy Sector Regulation:** Contains specific provisions related to electrical energy during Brazil's industrial expansion
- **Debt Collection Framework:** Establishes legal parameters for debt collection processes
- **Temporal Provisions:** Includes detailed regulations regarding time limits and deadline extensions
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Approved by President Ernesto Geisel, a key figure in Brazil's military government
- **Digital Availability:** Fully accessible through multiple official Brazilian government digital platforms
- **Legal Classification:** Serves as a clear example of a Brazilian federal "lei" (statute) in the civil law tradition
- **Public Domain Status:** Represents the principle of free public access to official legal documents
- **WikiProject Inclusion:** Part of organized efforts to document and categorize Brazilian legislation

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment

Law No. 6180 of December 11, 1974 was promulgated during a significant period in Brazil's modern history. The law represents legislative activity during the military government that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985. President Ernesto Geisel, who served as Brazil's president from 1974 to 1979, approved this statute through the formal promulgation process. The military government period was characterized by centralized decision-making and significant legislative output aimed at modernizing Brazil's legal and economic systems.

The enactment process followed standard procedures for Brazilian federal legislation. The law was drafted, approved through the appropriate governmental channels, and officially published in Brasília, Brazil's capital since 1960. The publication in the Official Gazette (Diário Oficial da União) marked its entry into force, making it binding throughout the Brazilian federation.

### Legal Classification and Structure

Law No. 6180 is classified as a federal "lei" (law), which represents the primary form of legislation in Brazil's civil law system. Within the hierarchy of Brazilian legal norms, federal laws occupy a position below the Constitution but above subordinate regulations such as decrees and normative instructions. This classification gives the statute nationwide applicability and legal force across all Brazilian states and territories.

The statute demonstrates the typical structure of Brazilian legislation, containing precise legal language and organized provisions addressing specific subjects. The law's text follows the formal conventions of Brazilian legal drafting, including the standard preamble identifying the approving authority and enactment date.

### Main Subjects and Provisions

The statute addresses five primary subjects, each representing important aspects of legal and economic regulation:

- **Time Limits (Prazo):** Establishes specific temporal parameters for legal procedures and obligations
- **Electrical Energy (Energia Eletrica):** Contains regulations pertaining to the electrical energy sector
- **Prorogation (Prorrogação):** Provides mechanisms for extending deadlines and time periods
- **Debt Collection (Cobrança):** Sets forth rules governing the collection of debts
- **Percentages (Percentagem):** Includes provisions related to percentage calculations in legal contexts

This combination of subjects reflects the law's practical orientation toward resolving common issues that arise in both public administration and private transactions. The inclusion of electrical energy regulations is particularly notable given Brazil's significant energy sector development during the 1970s.

### Publication and Accessibility

Law No. 6180 follows Brazil's established practices for legal publication and accessibility. The official text was published in the Diário Oficial da União, Brazil's official gazette, which serves as the primary vehicle for promulgating new laws. In the digital age, the statute remains accessible through multiple authoritative online sources:

- **Presidency Legislation Portal:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6180.htm
- **LexML Brazil:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6180
- **Presidency Legislation Database:** https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos

This digital availability ensures that legal professionals, government officials, and citizens can access the complete, authoritative text of the law. The multiple publication platforms reflect Brazil's commitment to transparency and public access to legal information.

### Legal and Historical Significance

Enacted during President Ernesto Geisel's administration, Law No. 6180 represents the legislative priorities of Brazil's military government. The 1970s were a period of significant economic development in Brazil, often referred to as the "Brazilian Miracle" (Milagre Econômico Brasileiro), characterized by rapid industrialization and infrastructure expansion. The law's provisions related to electrical energy and economic regulations align with this period of growth.

The statute's focus on practical legal mechanisms such as time limits and debt collection reflects the government's attention to creating a stable legal environment for economic activity. These provisions would have supported both public administration and private sector operations during a period of significant economic transformation.

### Integration into Brazil's Legal System

As a federal law, Law No. 6180 integrates into Brazil's comprehensive legal framework. The Brazilian legal system follows the civil law tradition, where statutes play a central role in defining legal rights and obligations. This law operates alongside other federal statutes, constitutional provisions, and subordinate regulations to create a cohesive legal environment.

The law's specific provisions would interact with other legal instruments in Brazil's system. For example, the debt collection provisions would complement the Brazilian Civil Code and commercial legislation, while the electrical energy regulations would work alongside sector-specific laws and regulatory decrees.

### Contemporary Relevance

While enacted nearly five decades ago, Law No. 6180 maintains its legal validity unless specifically repealed or amended by subsequent legislation. The law's continued presence in official legal databases indicates its ongoing relevance to certain legal and regulatory matters in Brazil.

The statute serves as an example of how specific, technically-focused legislation can have enduring utility. Its provisions on time limits, percentages, and procedural matters represent the kind of detailed legal rules that often remain relevant across different historical periods and political contexts.

### Documentation and Scholarly Context

Law No. 6180 is included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its recognition within organized efforts to document and categorize Brazilian legislation. This inclusion facilitates scholarly research and public understanding of Brazil's legal history.

The law's digital preservation through multiple official platforms ensures its availability for historical research, legal analysis, and comparative studies of Brazilian legislation. The consistent citation format (Lei nº 6180/1974) allows for precise referencing in legal and academic contexts.

### Comparative Legal Analysis

Within the broader context of Brazilian legislation, Law No. 6180 represents a typical example of the country's statutory law tradition. The law demonstrates several characteristic features of Brazilian legislation:

- **Comprehensive Subject Coverage:** Addresses multiple related topics within a single statutory instrument
- **Technical Precision:** Uses specific legal terminology and precise formulations
- **Practical Orientation:** Focuses on resolving concrete legal and administrative issues
- **National Applicability:** Applies uniformly across Brazil's federal structure

These characteristics reflect the civil law tradition's emphasis on comprehensive, systematically organized legal codes and statutes.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6180)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6180&ano=1974&data=11/12/1974&ato=f79kXQ65kenRVT67c)