# Law No. 6877 of December 9, 1980

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105650014](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105650014)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6877-of-december-9-1980

## Summary
Law No. 6877 of December 9, 1980, is a Brazilian federal statute that reinstates specific rights for public servants under defined circumstances. Enacted during the presidency of João Figueiredo, this legislation addresses the restoration of rights, obligations, exemptions, and functional categories for civil servants within the Brazilian government. It serves as a formal written legal document that functions as a manifestation of statutory law in Brazil, specifically targeting the legal status and administrative conditions of public office holders.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6877, de 9 de dezembro de 1980.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6877/1980.
- **Publication Date:** December 9, 1980.
- **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).
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgating Authority:** João Figueiredo (serving as President on the date of promulgation).
- **Primary Subject Matter:** Rights of public servants, civil servant status, obligations, exemptions, functional categories, and public office.
- **Law Digest Summary:** "RESTABELECE DIREITO DE SERVIDORES PUBLICOS, NO CASO QUE ESPECIFICA" (Reestablishes the right of public servants in the specified case).
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1980-12-09;6877.
- **Official Online Access:** Available at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l6877.htm.
- **Source References:** Data verified via LexML Brazil and the Presidency of the Republic's legislative portal (legislacao.presidencia.gov.br).

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 6877/1980?**
The law is designed to reestablish specific rights for public servants in cases explicitly detailed within the text. It functions to correct or restore legal standing, obligations, and exemptions for individuals holding public office under certain conditions.

**Who was the head of state when this law was enacted?**
The statute was approved and promulgated by João Figueiredo, who was serving as the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil on December 9, 1980. The act was formalized through the Presidency of the Republic.

**Which specific aspects of public service does this law regulate?**
This legislation covers a broad range of administrative elements including the rights of civil servants, their specific obligations, exemptions from certain duties, functional categories, and the status of public office. It addresses the legal framework governing the relationship between the state and its employees.

**Where can the official text of this law be accessed?**
The full text is available online through the official Planalto government portal at the specific URL for laws from 1980-1988. It is also indexed in the LexML Brazil system, which provides a standardized digital identifier for the document.

**What is the legal classification of this document?**
Law No. 6877 is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. It falls under the broader category of federal legislation enacted by the Brazilian government and is part of the country's statutory law system.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 6877 of December 1980 is a critical instrument for the stability and legal clarity of Brazil's public administration. By explicitly reinstating rights for public servants, it ensures that civil servants are not left in a state of legal limbo regarding their employment status, benefits, or obligations. This legislation plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law within the executive branch, ensuring that the government adheres to established legal procedures when managing its workforce.

The law matters because it defines the boundaries of "obligation" and "exemption" for civil servants, providing a clear legal basis for administrative decisions. Without such specific statutes, the rights of public employees could be subject to arbitrary interpretation or administrative error. Furthermore, as a federal statute, it sets a precedent for how the Brazilian state interacts with its employees, reinforcing the principle that public office is governed by codified law rather than discretion. Its existence ensures that the "functional category" and "public office" status of individuals are protected by a formal, accessible legal document, which is essential for the functioning of a representative democracy.

## Notable For
- **Specific Administrative Focus:** Unlike general labor laws, this statute specifically targets the reinstatement of rights for public servants in a defined scenario.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the final years of the military dictatorship in Brazil (1964–1985), under the administration of President João Figueiredo.
- **Digital Standardization:** It is one of the earliest Brazilian laws to be assigned a standardized URN (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1980-12-09;6877) within the LexML Brazil system, facilitating digital legal research.
- **Comprehensive Scope:** It simultaneously addresses rights, obligations, exemptions, and functional categories within a single legislative act.
- **Official Accessibility:** The law is permanently archived and accessible via the official Planalto website, ensuring public transparency.
- **Legal Precedent:** It serves as a specific reference point for cases involving the restoration of civil servant rights in Brazilian administrative law.

## Body

### Legislative Identity and Classification
Law No. 6877 is formally classified as a **statute**, a term denoting a formal written document that creates law. In the context of Brazilian jurisprudence, it is an instance of federal legislation enacted by the National Congress and promulgated by the Executive branch. The document is identified by the legal citation **Lei nº 6877/1980** and holds the unique digital identifier **urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1980-12-09;6877** within the LexML Brazil repository. It is written in **Brazilian Portuguese** and applies strictly to the jurisdiction of the **Federative Republic of Brazil**. As a statute, it functions as the concrete manifestation of statutory law, serving as the official record of the legal rules enacted by the government to regulate public service.

### Enactment and Promulgation History
The law was officially published on **December 9, 1980**, in the capital city of **Brasília**. The legislative process culminated in its approval by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The specific act of promulgation was carried out by **João Figueiredo**, who was the President of Brazil at the time. The determination method for this enactment is recorded as "promulgation," signifying the final step in the legislative process where the executive branch formally enforces the law. The date of publication and the date of approval coincide, marking the immediate entry of the statute into the Brazilian legal system.

### Subject Matter and Legal Scope
The core purpose of Law No. 6877 is to **reestablish rights** for public servants in specific cases. The law's "law digest" explicitly states: "RESTABELECE DIREITO DE SERVIDORES PUBLICOS, NO CASO QUE ESPECIFICA." This indicates that the legislation was not a general reform but a targeted measure to correct or restore the legal standing of certain civil servants. The statute addresses several distinct legal concepts:
- **Rights:** It restores specific entitlements previously held or lost by public servants.
- **Civil Servant Status:** It defines or reaffirms the status of individuals as "Servidor" (civil servant).
- **Obligations:** It outlines the "Exigencia" (requirements or obligations) that these servants must fulfill.
- **Exemptions:** It grants "Dispensa" (exemptions) from certain duties or penalties under the specified conditions.
- **Functional Categories:** It references "Categoria Funcional," categorizing the roles within the public administration.
- **Public Office:** It governs the nature and conditions of "Cargo Publico" (public office).

### Digital Infrastructure and Accessibility
In the modern era of legal information, Law No. 6877 is integrated into Brazil's digital legal infrastructure. It is indexed in the **LexML Brazil** system, which provides a standardized way to reference legal documents across the country. The law is available for public consultation at the official Planalto government portal, specifically at the URL: **https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l6877.htm**. This digital presence ensures that the text is accessible to citizens, legal professionals, and researchers, adhering to the principle that laws must be public and knowable. The references for this data were last verified in early 2021, confirming the stability of these digital records.

### Context within Brazilian Statutory Law
As a federal law, Law No. 6877 is part of the broader hierarchy of Brazilian legislation. It operates under the authority of the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil** and is subject to the constitutional framework of the nation. While the specific text of the law focuses on administrative details, its existence reinforces the structure of the Brazilian state's relationship with its workforce. It is distinct from general labor laws as it applies specifically to the "Servidor" (public servant) rather than private sector employees. The law serves as a specific example of how the Brazilian government uses statutes to manage the intricate details of public administration, ensuring that rights and obligations are clearly defined and legally enforceable.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1980-12-09;6877)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6877&ano=1980&data=09/12/1980&ato=152oXTU9UMrRVTdea)
3. LexML Brasil