# Law No. 9697 of September 2, 1998

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647809](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647809)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-9697-of-september-2-1998

## Summary
Law No. 9697 of September 2, 1998 is a Brazilian federal statute that created Juntas de Conciliação e Julgamento (Conciliation and Judgment Boards) in the 2nd Region of the Labor Justice system, defined their jurisdiction, and established related provisions. Promulgated by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and published in Brasília, it focuses on municipalities, Regional Labor Courts, and career public offices in São Paulo state. The law is accessible in Brazilian Portuguese via official government portals and carries the LexML URN `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-09-02;9697`.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Lei nº 9697, de 2 de setembro de 1998 (Law No. 9697 of September 2, 1998).
- **Aliases:** Lei nº 9697, de 2 de setembro de 1998.
- **Publication Date:** September 2, 1998.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil.
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil; promulgated by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on September 2, 1998.
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil.
- **Instance Of:** Statute.
- **Main Subjects:**
  - Municipality of Brazil (Municípios)
  - Regional Labor Courts (Tribunal Regional Do Trabalho – TRT)
  - Creation (Criação)
  - Labor Court (Justiça Do Trabalho)
  - Junta De Conciliação E Julgamento (JCJ)
  - Career job (Cargo De Carreira)
  - São Paulo state (Estado De São Paulo – SP)
  - Public office (Cargo Público)
- **Law Digest:** CRIA JUNTAS DE CONCILIAÇÃO E JULGAMENTO NA 2 REGIÃO DA JUSTIÇA DO TRABALHO, DEFINE JURISDIÇÃO E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS. (Creates Conciliation and Judgment Boards in the 2nd Region of the Labor Justice, defines jurisdiction, and provides other measures.)
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Applies to Jurisdiction:** Brazil.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 9697/1998.
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-09-02;9697.
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l9697.htm
- **Additional Reference URL:** https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-09-02;9697
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law.
- **On Focus List of Wikimedia Project:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What does Law No. 9697/1998 do?**
It creates Conciliation and Judgment Boards (Juntas de Conciliação e Julgamento) in the 2nd Region of Brazil’s Labor Justice system, defines their jurisdiction, and sets additional related provisions.

**Who approved Law No. 9697/1998 and when?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on September 2, 1998, in Brasília.

**What are the main subjects covered by this law?**
It addresses municipalities, Regional Labor Courts (TRT), the Labor Court system (Justiça Do Trabalho), the creation of JCJs, career jobs, public offices, and specifically the state of São Paulo.

**Where can I find the official text of Law No. 9697/1998?**
The official text is available in Brazilian Portuguese at the Planalto Presidency website (https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l9697.htm) and via the LexML portal (https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-09-02;9697).

**What type of legal instrument is Law No. 9697/1998?**
It is a federal statute (lei) classified as an instance of a formal written document that creates law, applicable throughout Brazil and specifically governing labor justice matters in the 2nd Region.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 9697/1998 plays a critical role in structuring Brazil’s Labor Justice system in the 2nd Region by establishing Conciliation and Judgment Boards that resolve labor disputes at a local level. By defining their jurisdiction and associated public offices, it strengthens access to justice for workers and employers, reduces case backlogs in higher courts, and integrates municipalities into the federal labor judicial framework. As a product of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s administration, it reflects broader judicial reform efforts aimed at modernizing Brazil’s legal infrastructure. Its availability in Brazilian Portuguese through official portals ensures transparency, public accessibility, and reliable legal reference for citizens, lawyers, and public servants.

## Notable For
- Creating Juntas de Conciliação e Julgamento (JCJs) specifically in the 2nd Region of the Labor Justice system.
- Defining jurisdictional boundaries for labor dispute resolution across municipalities in São Paulo state.
- Direct promulgation by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on September 2, 1998.
- Comprehensive coverage of labor justice subjects, including TRT, career jobs, and public offices.
- Availability via both the Planalto Presidency portal and the LexML Brazil legal identifier system.
- Inclusion in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, highlighting its relevance within structured legal knowledge bases.

## Body

### Legal Classification and Official Identifiers
Law No. 9697 of September 2, 1998 is classified as a **statute** (instance of a formal written document that creates law). It was enacted at the federal level in Brazil, applies to the entire national jurisdiction, and is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**. The law carries the legal citation **Lei nº 9697/1998** and is uniquely identified by the **LexML Brazil URN** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-09-02;9697`. It was **published on September 2, 1998**, in **Brasília**, the federal capital. The act of approval is attributed to the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**, with **Fernando Henrique Cardoso** serving as the president who promulgated the law on that same date.

### Purpose and Subjects
The primary purpose of Law No. 9697/1998 is to **create Juntas de Conciliação e Julgamento (Conciliation and Judgment Boards)** within the **2nd Region of the Labor Justice system** (Justiça Do Trabalho), to **define their jurisdiction**, and to establish related administrative and procedural measures. The law’s official digest summarizes this scope: *CRIA JUNTAS DE CONCILIAÇÃO E JULGAMENTO NA 2 REGIÃO DA JUSTIÇA DO TRABALHO, DEFINE JURISDIÇÃO E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS.*

Key subjects addressed include:
- **Municipality of Brazil (Municípios):** Local administrative divisions where JCJs operate.
- **Regional Labor Courts (Tribunal Regional Do Trabalho – TRT):** The appellate-level bodies within the labor justice hierarchy.
- **Creation (Criação):** The formal establishment of new judicial entities and structures.
- **Labor Court (Justiça Do Trabalho):** The specialized branch of the Brazilian judiciary handling labor disputes.
- **Junta De Conciliação E Julgamento (JCJ):** The trial-level boards responsible for conciliation and initial judgments in labor cases.
- **Career job (Cargo De Carreira):** Structured professional positions within the public sector.
- **São Paulo state (Estado De São Paulo – SP):** The specific geographic area covered by the 2nd Region.
- **Public office (Cargo Público):** Official positions created or regulated under the statute.

### Official Access and Resources
The full text of Law No. 9697/1998 is accessible to the public through multiple official channels:
- **Planalto Presidency Portal:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l9697.htm
- **LexML Brazil Portal:** https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-09-02;9697

These resources provide authoritative versions of the law for legal professionals, researchers, and citizens. The statute is also tracked within collaborative knowledge projects, listed under **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, which organizes and curates Brazilian legal information across Wikimedia platforms.

### Context Within the Brazilian Legal System
As a **statute**, Law No. 9697/1998 represents a formal, written manifestation of statutory law at the federal level. It follows the legislative process initiated by draft laws and results from the act of legislation itself. Within Brazil’s hierarchical legal framework, it operates under the **Constitution of Brazil (1988)** and alongside other federal, state, and municipal norms. The law’s focus on labor justice places it within a specialized judicial subsystem designed to arbitrate conflicts between employers and employees, promote social welfare, and ensure compliance with labor rights.

The creation of JCJs through this law decentralizes labor dispute resolution, bringing judicial services closer to citizens in municipalities across São Paulo state. This structural enhancement reflects broader efforts during the Cardoso administration to modernize public administration and expand access to justice. By defining jurisdictional boundaries and regulating associated public offices, the law contributes to the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of Brazil’s labor judiciary.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-09-02;9697)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=9697&ano=1998&data=02/09/1998&ato=a53ATQU1EeNpWT468)
3. LexML Brasil