# Law No. 8559 of December 28, 1992

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647495](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647495)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-8559-of-december-28-1992

## Summary
Law No. 8559 of December 28, 1992, is a Brazilian federal statute that structures the Public Ministry of the Federal District and Territories. Approved during the presidency of Itamar Franco, this law was promulgated on December 28, 1992, and published in Brasília, establishing administrative organization and legal norms for these specific jurisdictions.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 8559, de 28 de dezembro de 1992
- **Publication Date:** December 28, 1992
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **President at Time of Approval:** Itamar Franco
- **Legal Classification:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Main Subject:** Legal norms and administrative organization
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil, specifically the Federal District and Territories
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 8559/1992
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1989_1994/l8559.htm
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1992-12-28;8559
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law
- **Wikimedia Project Focus:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is the specific purpose of Law No. 8559?**
This law specifically addresses the structuring of the Public Ministry of the Federal District and Territories, providing the legal framework for its organization and operations. It establishes administrative provisions and legal norms governing this important judicial institution.

**How does this law relate to other Brazilian statutes?**
As a federal statute, Law No. 8559 follows the formal legislative process and carries the same legal weight as other laws passed by the Brazilian National Congress. It is part of Brazil's extensive legal system that includes acts, executive orders, and by-laws enacted through proper legislation.

**What is the historical context of this law's enactment?**
Law No. 8559 was approved in 1992 during Brazil's redemocratization period, following the 1988 Constitution that restored democratic governance after military rule. This was during the presidency of Itamar Franco, who served from 1992-1994 after the impeachment of Fernando Collor de Mello.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 8559 matters because it represents the concrete implementation of constitutional principles regarding judicial organization in Brazil's Federal District and Territories. As a statute, it provides the formal written documentation that creates enforceable law, ensuring that the Public Ministry - a crucial institution for justice administration - operates with clear legal parameters. This law exemplifies how Brazil's federal system delegates authority to specific jurisdictions while maintaining national standards, contributing to the rule of law in one of the world's largest democracies. Its preservation in official databases like LexML Brazil ensures public accessibility to the laws that govern Brazilian society, reflecting the country's commitment to transparent governance.

## Notable For
- **Specific Jurisdictional Focus:** Unlike many federal laws that apply nationally, this statute specifically addresses the Public Ministry of the Federal District and Territories
- **Post-Constitutional Timing:** Enacted just four years after Brazil's 1988 Constitution, representing early implementation of the new democratic framework
- **Official Digital Preservation:** Maintained in Brazil's sophisticated LexML legal documentation system with permanent identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1992-12-28;8559
- **Presidential Transition Context:** Approved during the presidency of Itamar Franco, who assumed office after a significant political impeachment
- **WikiProject Recognition:** Included in Wikimedia's specialized WikiProject Brazilian Laws, highlighting its importance to legal documentation

## Body

### Legal Definition and Classification
Law No. 8559 is formally classified as a **statute** - a written document that creates law through formal legislative processes. As a Brazilian federal law, it falls under the broader category of legal instruments that include acts, executive orders, and by-laws. The law is specifically categorized as dealing with "legal norms" and "administrative organization," reflecting its focus on institutional structuring rather than substantive policy matters.

The statute embodies several key characteristics of Brazilian legislation: it originates from the proper legislative authority (the National Congress), receives presidential approval, and is published officially in the designated manner. Its classification as a statute means it carries the full force of law and serves as a manifestation of statutory law within Brazil's civil law system.

### Content and Provisions
The law's full title indicates its primary focus: "DISPÕE SOBRE A ESTRUTURAÇÃO DO MINISTERIO PUBLICO DO DISTRITO FEDERAL E TERRITORIOS, E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS." This translates to "Provides for the Structuring of the Public Ministry of the Federal District and Territories, and Other Measures." The Public Ministry (Ministério Público) in Brazil serves as an independent judicial institution responsible for defending legal order, democratic regime, and social interests.

While the full text details the specific organizational framework, the law essentially establishes the administrative structure, competencies, and operational parameters for this important institution in Brazil's capital district and territories. This includes provisions for staffing, jurisdictional boundaries, and procedural rules that enable the Public Ministry to function effectively within these specific governmental units.

### Legislative Process and Approval
Law No. 8559 followed the standard Brazilian legislative process, which involves proposal, discussion, and voting in both chambers of the National Congress (Federal Senate and Chamber of Deputies). After congressional approval, the law was sent to the Presidency for sanction or veto. President Itamar Franco approved the law on December 28, 1992, during his term from 1992-1994.

The law's publication occurred in Brasília, Brazil's capital since 1960, following the standard practice for federal legislation. The publication date of December 28, 1992, marks when the law entered into effect, following standard procedures for legal promulgation in Brazil's official channels.

### Context within Brazilian Legal System
This law exists within Brazil's complex legal hierarchy that includes the Federal Constitution (1988), complementary laws, ordinary laws (like this one), decrees, and other normative acts. As an ordinary federal law, it must conform to constitutional principles and higher-ranking legislation. The specific focus on the Federal District reflects Brazil's unique administrative structure where Brasília serves as the federal capital with special jurisdictional status.

The timing of this law is significant - it was enacted during Brazil's early redemocratization period following the 1988 Constitution that restored democratic governance after military rule (1964-1985). Laws from this period often focused on implementing new constitutional frameworks and strengthening democratic institutions.

### Digital Preservation and Access
Law No. 8559 is preserved through Brazil's advanced legal documentation system, LexML Brasil, which provides standardized digital access to legislation. The permanent identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1992-12-28;8559 ensures reliable citation and retrieval. The law is also accessible through the official Planalto government portal, maintaining the principle that laws should be freely available to the public.

The statute's inclusion in WikiProject Brazilian Laws demonstrates its recognition as significant legal documentation worthy of collaborative curation and verification. This aligns with global movements toward transparent access to legal materials and digital preservation of governmental records.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Concepts
As a statute, Law No. 8559 exemplifies several important legal concepts: it represents the formal written documentation that creates enforceable law, demonstrates the implementation of legislative authority, and serves as a building block for Brazil's legal infrastructure. The law connects to broader categories including "written work," "document," and "rule" within legal classification systems.

The statute's specific focus on the Public Ministry relates to important constitutional principles regarding judicial independence and the protection of social interests. By structuring this institution for specific jurisdictions, the law contributes to the decentralized but coordinated functioning of Brazil's federal system of justice.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1992-12-28;8559)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=8559&ano=1992&data=28/12/1992&ato=365o3a610MFpWT14a)
3. LexML Brasil