# Law No. 9539 of December 12, 1997

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647381](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647381)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-9539-of-december-12-1997

## Summary
Law No. 9539 of December 12, 1997 is a Brazilian federal statute enacted during the presidency of Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Published in Brasília, this legal document addresses subjects including fixed-term contracts, prorogation, debt collection, and legal norms. It is classified as a formal written document creating law within the jurisdiction of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 9539, de 12 de dezembro de 1997
- **Date of Enactment:** December 12, 1997
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil)
- **Classification:** Instance of a statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Approving Official:** Fernando Henrique Cardoso (via promulgation)
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Main Subjects:** Fixed term (Prazo Determinado), Prorogation (Prorrogação), Debt collection (Cobrança), Legal norms (Normas)
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 9539/1997
- **LexML ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-12-12;9539
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l9539.htm
- **WikiProject:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws
- **Copyright Status:** Public domain (as an official edict of government)

## FAQs
**What type of legal document is Law No. 9539?**
It is a statute, which is defined as a formal written document that creates law. As a subclass of written work and document, it serves as the tangible manifestation of statutory law enacted by the government.

**Who enacted Law No. 9539?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Specifically, it was promulgated by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on December 12, 1997.

**What are the primary subjects covered by this law?**
The main subjects of the law include "Prazo Determinado" (Fixed Term), "Prorrogação" (Prorogation), "Cobrança" (Debt Collection), and "Normas" (Legal Norms).

**Where and when was this law published?**
The law was published on December 12, 1997, in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. It is available at the official URL of the Brazilian Presidency (planalto.gov.br).

**Is the text of this law copyrighted?**
No, like other official legal documents such as statutes, acts, and executive orders, this law is in the public domain. Under the "edict of government doctrine," official government documents are not subject to copyright to ensure public access.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 9539 matters as it represents the formal exercise of government authority within Brazil, the largest country in South America and a major global economy. As a statute, it provides the concrete, written evidence of legal rules governing specific societal interactions—such as debt collection and fixed-term agreements—ensuring these mandates are documented, accessible, and enforceable. Its enactment by the Presidency underscores the executive branch's role in the legislative process of Brazil's federal republic. Furthermore, by being part of the public domain, the law reinforces the principle of open government, allowing the Brazilian public and legal professionals unrestrained access to the regulations that affect their daily lives and commercial activities.

## Notable For
- **Presidential Context:** Enacted during the administration of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who served as President of Brazil from 1995 to 2002.
- **Legal Classification:** Recognized as a "statute," a foundational legal concept equivalent to `https://schema.org/Legislation` in structured data.
- **Standardization:** Utilizes the LexML Brazil standard for legal identification (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-12-12;9539).
- **Public Domain Status:** Exempt from copyright restrictions, ensuring free access to the legal text.
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to the entirety of Brazil, a nation spanning 8.5 million km² with a population of over 213 million.

## Body

### Legal Nature and Classification
Law No. 9539 is classified as a **statute**, a foundational legal term defined as a formal written document that creates law. Taxonomically, it is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule," functioning as the concrete manifestation of statutory law. Unlike abstract legal theories, this law serves as the definitive reference point for courts and citizens. Structurally, it is composed of "legal norms" and acts as an umbrella category for the specific legal instruments it governs. As a statute, it is equivalent to the `https://schema.org/Legislation` class used in semantic web technologies and holds the status of a public domain document under the edict of government doctrine, meaning it is not subject to copyright restrictions in jurisdictions like the United States and France.

### Enactment and Legislative History
The law was enacted on **December 12, 1997**, through the approval of the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The determination method for this approval was **promulgation**, a formal act that gives validity to the law. The specific authority behind this promulgation was President **Fernando Henrique Cardoso**, who was serving as the head of state and head of government at the time. Cardoso's presidency (1995–2002) was a significant period in Brazilian history, marked by economic stabilization and administrative reforms. The law's publication occurred in **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil, which has served as the seat of government since 1960.

### Jurisdiction and Geographic Scope
This statute applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**, the Federative Republic of Brazil. Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest nation in the world by area, encompassing approximately 8.5 million km². The law is effective across this vast territory, which includes 26 states and one Federal District, and applies to a population of approximately 213.4 million people. The official language of the statute, as with all federal laws in Brazil, is **Brazilian Portuguese**. The country's legal system operates under a federal republic structure with a presidential system, where laws enacted at the federal level, such as this one, hold precedence over local by-laws in matters of national or interstate concern.

### Subject Matter and Content
The primary content of Law No. 9539 revolves around four key subjects identified in its legal metadata:
1.  **Prazo Determinado (Fixed Term):** Relating to time-bound agreements or contracts.
2.  **Prorrogação (Prorogation):** Concerning the extension or renewal of deadlines or terms.
3.  **Cobrança (Debt Collection):** Addressing the processes and norms related to the collection of debts.
4.  **Normas (Legal Norms):** Establishing the rules and standards within the scope of the law.

These subjects suggest the law regulates specific procedural aspects of civil or administrative obligations, particularly regarding time limits and financial recoveries within the Brazilian legal framework.

### Identification and Accessibility
The law is cataloged with specific identifiers to ensure its retrieval and authority within legal databases:
- **LexML ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-12-12;9539`
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 9539/1997
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l9539.htm

It is also tracked within the **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, indicating its importance in the collaborative documentation of the country's legal history. The law's availability on official government portals like the Presidência's website (legislacao.presidencia.gov.br) ensures transparency and aligns with Brazil's digital governance initiatives.

### Context within the Brazilian Legal System
As a product of the Brazilian legislative and executive process, Law No. 9539 functions within the broader constitutional framework established by the **Constitution of Brazil** (effective October 5, 1988). The National Congress of Brazil, composed of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, creates draft laws that are subsequently sanctioned or promulgated by the President. This law represents the final stage of that process: a formal "legal act" resulting in "statutory law." It is part of the extensive body of Brazilian legislation that governs the nation's complex social and economic activities, supporting the country's status as a major global economy and a member of international organizations like the G20, BRICS, and the United Nations.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-12-12;9539)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=9539&ano=1997&data=12/12/1997&ato=beacXWE1ENJpWT356)