Doing Legal Research in Brazil
By Edilenice Passos
Published February 2005
Edilenice Passos is a fully trained librarian and she earned her Master's Degree in
1992. She currently works at the Research Service of the Brazilian Senate as the head
of the sector in charge of gathering background information for the consultants.
Edilenice has written five books and published several articles. In addition to her
regular duties, she is the Infolegis discussion list moderator. This list connects
librarians, lawyers, and other professionals in order to share legal information. Mrs.
Passos is also responsible for a site on the web (http://www.infolegis.com.br/),
developed to help Brazilian Law librarians to find foreign legislation, as well as to
help people from other countries find information on Brazilian legislation.
Update to an article previously published on LLRX.com on September 2, 2002
<http://www.llrx.com/features/brazil2002.htm>
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. General Data about Brazil
1.2. Nationality
1.3. Separation of Powers
1.4. Brazilian Judicial System
1.4.1. Control of Constitutionality
1.5. Brazilian Legislative System
1.5.1. The Making of Laws
1.5.2. Legislative Systems in the States and Municipalities
2. BRAZILIAN PRIMARY LEGAL RESOURCES
2.1. Diário Oficial da União [Official Federal Gazette]
2.2. Diários oficiais estaduais [Official Gazettes of the States]
2.2.1. Bahia
2.2.2. Ceará
2.2.3. Espírito Santo
2.2.4. Mato Grosso
2.2.5. Minas Gerais
2.2.6. Pará
2.2.7. Paraná
2.2.8. Pernambuco
2.2.9. Rio Grande do Norte
2.2.10.
Rio Grande do Sul
2.2.11.
Santa Catarina
2.2.12.
São Paulo
2.3. Diário de Justiça [Judiciary Gazette]
3. BRAZILIAN INSTITUTIONS DEALING WITH LEGAL INFORMATION
3.1. Libraries
3.2. Law Schools
3.2.1. Undergraduate Courses
3.2.2. Graduate Courses
3.3. Law Societies and Bar Associations
3.3.1. Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil [Brazilian Bar Association]
3.3.2. Associations of Lawyers, Judges, and Prosecutors
3.4. Brazilian Legal Publishing Houses
4. BRAZILIAN LEGAL RESEARCH
4.1. Miscellaneous
4.1.1. Non-governmental sites
4.1.2. Government sites
4.2. Codes
4.2.1. Código Brasileiro de Aeronáutica [Brazilian Code of Aeronautics]
4.2.2. Código Brasileiro de Telecomunicações [Brazilian Code of
Telecommunications]
4.2.3. Código Civil [Civil Code]
4.2.3.1. New Civil Code
4.2.4. Código Comercial
4.2.5. Código das Aguas [Water Code]
4.2.6. Código de Caça [Game Code] (Fauna Protection)
4.2.7. Código de Conduta de Alta Administração Federal [Code of Higher
Conduct of Higher Government Officials]
4.2.8. Código de Mineração (Código de Minas) [Code of Mining - Code of
Mines]
4.2.9. Código de Processo Civil [Code of Civil Procedure]
4.2.10.
Código de Processo Penal [Code of Criminal Procedure]
4.2.11.
Código de Propriedade Industrial [Industrial Property Code]
4.2.12.
Código de Proteção e Defesa do Consumidor [Consumer
Protection Code]
4.2.13.
Código de Trânsito Brasileiro [Brazilian Traffic Code]
4.2.14.
Código Eleitoral [Electoral Code]
4.2.15.
Código Forestal [Forest Code]
4.2.16.
Código Penal [Criminal Code]
4.2.17.
Código Tributário Nacional [National Revenue and Taxation
Code]
4.2.18.
Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (CLT) [Consolidation of Labor
Laws]
4.2.19.
Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente [Child and Adolescent
Statute]
4.3. Topic Search
4.3.1. Science and Technology
4.3.2. Foreign Trade
4.3.3. Children and Adolescents
4.3.4. Culture
4.3.5. Consumer Rights
4.3.6. Education
4.3.7. Elections
4.3.8. Environment
4.3.9. Mercosur
4.3.10.
Social Security
4.3.11.
Radio Broadcasting
4.3.12.
Land Reform
4.3.13.
Telecommunications
4.3.14.
Traffic
4.3.15.
Taxation
5. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES AND CITATIONS
5.1. Bibliographic References
5.1.1. Bibliographic References for Books
5.1.2. Bibliographic References for Articles in Periodicals
5.1.3. Bibliographic References for Joint Decisions, Judgments and Sentences
by Courts and Tribunals
5.1.4. Bibliographic References for Codes
5.1.5. Bibliographic References for Laws, Decrees, Directives, etc.
5.2. Citations and Quotations
5.2.1. Citation Format Rules
5.2.2. Examples
5.2.2.1. Citation of Federal Constitution
5.2.2.2. Code Citation
5.2.2.3. Legal Citation
5.2.2.4. Citation Sentences from Books and Periodicals
6. ABBREVIATIONS AND POPULAR NAMES OF LEGAL RULES
7. TRANSLATED BRAZILIAN LAW
1 INTRODUCTION
The Brazilian legal system shows a prolific production of juridical information, either
descriptive (doctrine), or mostly normative (legislation), as if it were possible to
improve or solve the problems of society by means of an increasing number of laws. It
is not a surprise that many such laws are forgotten or simply ignored.
The proliferation of normative acts, of higher or lower hierarchy, eventually causes
total chaos, for this big mass of juridical documents hampers the work of lawyers,
researchers, and of the very citizens, who are ruled by Brazilian laws. As early as
1969, Arnoldo Wald already alerted that "the true legislative labyrinth created as a
result of an inflation of statutes passed in recent years has turned the ruling Brazilian
law into a patchwork, in which the mere legislative updating becomes a daily torture
for a lawyer and a judge who are searching for the rules applicable to a specific
subject, from among acts, supplementary acts, institutional acts, decree-laws, and
other normative acts". It is right to state that this situation remains unchanged in
2001.
The excessive number of laws is not the only big problem in the corpus of Brazilian
laws. The implicit revocation of rules, which uses only the expression All provisions to
the contrary are hereby revoked (Revogam-se as disposições em contrário), puzzles
anybody who tries to identify which rules are in force.
In an attempt to modify this panorama, the 1988 Federal Constitution, in the sole
paragraph of article 59, foresaw the need to issue standards for the preparation,
drafting, amendment, and consolidation of laws. To fulfill this constitutional
provision, the National Congress passed Supplementary Law no. 95, of February 26,
1998, which provides for the preparation, drafting, amendment, and consolidation of
laws, as set forth by the sole paragraph of article 59 of the Federal Constitution, and
establishes rules for the consolidation of the normative acts that it refers to.
The Legislative Consolidation Program, headed by the Executive Branch, aims at the
consolidation of rules which have an identical, analogous, or related object, so as to
eliminate possible divergences, conflicts, or repetitions, and, therefore, convey unity,
simplicity, and coherence to the body of Brazilian federal legislation.
With a view to implementing this process in the sphere of the Executive Branch, the
Federal Government issued Decree no. 4,176, of March 28, 2002, establishing, among
other provisions, the rules for the consolidation activities.
Ives Gandra Filho, now a Justice in the Higher Court of Labor, who coordinated the
committee created by the Executive Branch to implement the consolidation of laws,
explains that "in the global context, the consolidation of federal legislation will have
as an end-product the compression of approximately 10,000 laws of a general
character into about 120 statutes; this will undoubtedly represent a monumental
work of simplification of our legal system, thus enabling an easy and safe access to
the laws in force."
As a consequence of this big mass of juridical documents, several publications have
already appeared to try to organize, compile, or interpret the legislation of Brazil,
thus making the Brazilian editorial market of legal works a very profitable and prolific
one. Many new publications do not go beyond the first few issues, but some
commercial publishers and their publications are traditional, like Revista Forense,
published by Editora Forense and in circulation without interruption since 1904, and
Revista dos Tribunais, published by a publishing house under the same name, in
circulation since 1912.
With the advent of the Internet, publishing houses have found a new mode to offer
their services. This is so true that lawyers are increasingly connected to the virtual
world, thus becoming the most frequent professional category in the Net. At an
incredible pace, juridical sites have appeared that offer databases containing
doctrine, full texts of rules and former court rules, a lawsuit tracking system, legal
news, and information about public competitive examinations.
Reference Works:
MARTINS FILHO, Ives Gandra da Silva. Consolidação da legislação federal. Revista
do Ministério Público do Trabalho, São Paulo, v. 8, n. 16, p. 86-97, set. 1998.
WALD, Arnoldo. A elaboração e revisão dos projetos de códigos. Revista de Direito da
Procuradoria Geral do Estado da Guanabara, n. 21, p. 166-189, 1969.
1.1 General Data about Brazil
National Capital: Brasília (DF)
Population: 178,742,860
National language: Portuguese
Form of government: Federative Republic
System of Government: Presidentialism
Republic is the form of government of the Brazilian State, with representatives
elected to serve temporary terms of office by means of direct periodical elections. It is
a decentralized Federative state, characterized by the indissolubility of the Union.
Presidentialism is the system of government. The Chief of State and Head of
Government is the President of the Republic, who must be Brazilian by birth, at least
35 years old, and fulfill the requirements which are mandatory for any representative
of the people: electoral domicile, inclusion in the voters' list, membership in a
political party, full exercise of political rights, and literacy. The Vice-President, who
must also fulfill the above-mentioned requirements, replaces the President on a
temporary basis in the event of impediment, and succeeds him in the event of
vacancy. In the event of impediment of the Vice-President, the following will be called
successively to take office: (i) the President of the Chamber of Deputies, (ii) the
President of the Federal Senate, and (iii) the President of the Supreme Federal Court.
However, in the event of simultaneous vacancies, the acting President shall organize
new elections, to be held within 90 (ninety) days after the occurrence of the last
vacancy. Nevertheless, if the vacancies occur during the last two years of the
President's term of office, the National Congress shall hold indirect elections for such
offices within 30 (thirty) days after the occurrence of the last vacancy. In any of the
cases, the purpose shall always be that of completing the term of office of the
predecessors.
In the Brazilian system, the President's term of office is 4 (four) years, reelection
being permitted only once. The election of the President and of the Vice-President
shall take place simultaneously on the first Sunday of October, in the first round, and
on the last Sunday of October, in the second round, if no candidate has obtained the
absolute majority of valid votes in the first round of voting.
Democracy is the political system of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The executive,
the legislative, and the judicial branches, independent and harmonious among
themselves, integrate the Union.
1.2 Nationality
A Brazilian national (article 12 of the Federal Constitution) can be native-born or
naturalized. As regards nationality, Brazil adopts primarily jus solis, but it also
accepts, in several circumstances, jus sanguinis in the first degree.
Therefore, the following are native-born Brazilians:
1. those born in the Federative Republic of Brazil, even if of foreign
parents, provided that they are not at the service of their country;
2. those born abroad, of a Brazilian father or a Brazilian mother,
provided that either of them is at the service of the Federative
Republic of Brazil; and
3. those born abroad, of a Brazilian father or a Brazilian mother,
provided that they come to reside in the Federative Republic of
Brazil and opt for the Brazilian nationality at any time;
The following are naturalized Brazilians, provided that they apply for it:
1. foreigners originating from Portuguese-speaking countries,
resident in the Federative Republic of Brazil for at least one
uninterrupted year and having good moral repute;
2. foreigners of any nationality, resident in the Federative Republic
of Brazil for over fifteen uninterrupted years and without
criminal conviction.
1.3 Separation of Powers
In the Brazilian legal system, the supreme rule is the Federal Constitution. The
current one was promulgated on October 5, 1998, and is characterized by its written
rigid form. However, the states have powers to organize themselves and to be ruled
by their own Constitutions and by laws that they may adopt. Their autonomy is
limited by the principles established in the Federal Constitution. The autonomy of the
States of the Federation is restricted, as are all powers that are explicitly or implicitly
not forbidden by the Federal Constitution.
There is a legal system of a national scope, effective all over the country, and there are
legal systems of a state scope, exclusive of each State of the Federation. However, in
both cases the supremacy of the Federal Constitution is undoubtedly an imperative,
indisputable matter.
Municipalities, eadem ratione, also enjoy restricted autonomies. Their legislation
must also follow the dictates of the Constitution of the State to which they belong,
and, consequently, those of the Federal Constitution itself.
Reference Work
SECCO, Orlando de Almeida. Introdução ao estudo do Direito. 5. ed. Rio de Janeiro :
Lumen Juris, 1999. 253p.
1.4 Brazilian Judicial System
Under the terms of article 92 of the Federal Constitution, the following are the bodies
of the Brazilian Judicial Branch:







the Supreme Federal Court
the Higher Court of Justice
the Federal Regional Courts and Federal Judges
the Labor Courts and Judges
the Electoral Courts and Judges
the Military Courts and Judges
the Courts and Judges of the States and of the Federal District
Among the bodies of the Judicial Branch, special emphasis should be given to the
Supreme Federal Court, the Higher Court of Justice, and the Higher Courts, since
their jurisdiction covers the entire territory.
The functions essential to Justice are also autonomously carried out by the Office of
the Prosecutors for the Public Interest of the Union and of the States1, by the Office of
the Solicitor-General of the Union, and by the Office of the Public Legal Defender.
The Judicial Branch is empowered with administrative and financial autonomy. The
judges in the various courts enjoy the guarantees of life tenure, irremovability, and
irreducibility of compensation, as provided by article 95 of the constitutional text.
The same guarantees are conferred to the Prosecutors for the Public Interest,
pursuant to item I of paragraph 5 of article 128.
Comparative Table: Composition and Competence of Brazilian Courts
Body
Supreme Federal Court
Higher Court of Justice
(STJ)
Federal Regional Courts
and Federal Judges
(http://www.trf1.gov.br/,
http://www.trf2.gov.br/,
http://www.trf3.gov.br/,
http://www.trf4.gov.br/,
http://www.trf5.gov.br/)
Composition
Competencies
Eleven Justices chosen
from among citizens
over 35 and under 65
years of age, of notable
juridical learning and
spotless reputation.
Appointed by the
President of the
Republic, after their
nomination has been
approved by the
absolute majority of the
Federal Senate.
Responsible, essentially,
for safeguarding the
Constitution. Article 102
of the Federal
Constitution.
Composed of a
minimum of 33
Justices, chosen from
among Brazilians over
35 and under 65 years
of age. Appointed by the Article 105 of the Federal
President of the
Constitution
Republic, after their
nomination has been
approved by the
absolute majority of the
Federal Senate.
Composed of a
minimum of 7 Judges
appointed by the
President of the
Republic from among
Brazilians over 35 and
under 65 years of age.
Articles 108 and 109 of
the Federal Constitution.
Higher Court of Labor
(TST)
Composed of 27
Justices, chosen from
among Brazilians over
35 and under 65 years
of age, appointed by the Set forth by a
President of the
Supplementary Law.
Republic after their
nomination has been
approved by the Federal
Senate.
Composed of judges
appointed by the
President of the
Article 115, together with
Regional Courts of Labor Republic, from among
paragraph 2 of article 111
lawyers, members of the
and article 94.
Office of Prosecutors for
the Public Interest, and
career judges.
Labor Courts of first
instance
Higher Electoral Court
(TSE)
Regional Electoral
Courts (TREs)
A single judge is
assigned to a Labor
Court of first instance.
Article 116 of the Federal
Constitution
Composed of a
minimum of 7
members. Three judges
are chosen through
election, by secret vote,
from among the
Justices of the Supreme
Federal Court. Two
judges are chosen
through election, by
Set forth by a
secret vote, from among Supplementary Law.
Justices of the Higher
Court of Justice.
Through appointment
by the President of the
Republic, two judges
are chosen from among
lawyers nominated by
the Supreme Federal
Court.
There is a Regional
Electoral Court in the
capital of each State and
in the Federal District. Set forth by a
It is composed of seven Supplementary Law.
members, of which two
judges are chosen from
among the members of
the State Court of
Justice, two are chosen
by the State Court of
Justice among career
judges, one is chosen by
the Federal Regional
Court among its own
members, and the other
two are chosen from
among lawyers
nominated by the State
Court of Justice.
Higher Military Court
(STM)
Composed of 15 life
Justices, appointed by
the President of the
Republic, after their
nomination has been
approved by the Federal
Senate, three of which
shall be chosen from
among General officers Article 124 of the Federal
of the Navy, four from Constitution.
among General officers
of the Army, three from
among General officers
of the Air Force, all of
whom in active service
and of the highest rank,
and five from among
civilians.
Source: BASTOS, Aurélio Wander. Introdução à teoria do Direito. 2. ed. Rio
de Janeiro : Lumen Juris, 1999. 309p. Adapted, updated table.
The organization, composition, and competence of the Courts of the States is defined
according to the Federal Constitution, the State Constitutions, and the respective
state laws on judicial organization.
Brazilian Justice has always been considered slow and too bureaucratic. Judges,
members of the Office of the Prosecutors for the Public Interest, and lawyers have
always pursued swifter justice. The first step in the pursuit of tools to prevent Justice
from being overburdened was the enactment of Act no. 7,244, of November 7, 1984,
which set forth rules for the establishment and operation of Small Claims Courts such courts would take charge of actions not exceeding 20 minimum monthly salaries
(that is, US$ 1,225.00, at that time).
The 1988 Federal Constitution, in its article 98, item I, provided for the creation of
Special Courts, filled by judges, or by judges and lay judges, with powers for
conciliation, judgment, and execution of civil suits of lesser complexity and criminal
offenses of lower offensive potential, by oral and summary proceedings, allowing,
in the cases established in law, the settlement and judgment of appeals by panels of
judges of first instance.
This constitutional provision was regulated by the National Congress by means of the
enactment of Act no. 9,099, of September 26, 1995. Such Special Courts are an
adequate solution for the settlement of claims of a small economic value and too low
complexity for the standard procedures of a lawsuit. It is worth noting that swift, freeof-charge settlement of claims constitutes a good response of the State to the demand
for Justice.
1.4.1 Control of Constitutionality
The control of the constitutionality of laws is exercised either in a concentrated or in a
diffuse manner.
1. Concentrated control is effected and judged, in the first instance, by the Supreme
Federal Court, by means of two types of actions: Direct Actions of Unconstitutionality
(ADIN) and Declaratory Actions of Constitutionality (ADECON). ADINs may only be
proposed by the President of the Republic; the Directing Board of the Chamber of
Deputies, of the Federal Senate, or of State Legislative Assemblies; a State Governor;
the Federal Prosecutor-General; a political party represented in the National
Congress; the Federal Council of OAB [Brazilian Bar Association], or a professional
association or confederation of labor unions of a nationwide nature.
According to the doctrine and former court rulings of the Supreme Federal Court, the
Governor of the Federal District and the Directing Board of the Legislative Chamber
of the Federal District may also file an ADIN.
There are four different types of ADIN: action (positive), omission (negative),
material, or total/partial - (i) There is an Action (positive) when the unconstitutional
act or law is identified in the ADIN and its effects are denied; (ii) there is an Omission
(negative) when certain constitutional provisions have not been obeyed because the
necessary regulations have not been issued; (iii) a Material ADIN deals with the
object of an unconstitutional act or law; (iv) a Total/Partial ADIN deals with an
unconstitutional act or law in whole or in part.
An ADECON seeks to ratify the constitutionality of an act or law and can only be filed
by the President of the Republic; the Directing Board of the Chamber of Deputies or
of the Federal Senate; or by the Federal Prosecutor-General.
Decisions pronounced both in an ADIN and in an ADECON have force nationwide, as
well as an ex tunc binding effect.
2 Diffuse control occurs in specific law cases, in litigations presented before Justice,
when an incidental issue of unconstitutionality arises, allowing a Judge or a Panel under the supervision of a special body composed of judges of that court - to express
their opinion on the unconstitutionality of a certain act or law. The subsequent
decision shall be pronounced inter partes.
1.5 Brazilian Legislative System
Federal level - National Congress (Federal Senate and Chamber
of Deputies);
 State level - State Legislative Assembly (State Deputies);
 Federal District Level - Legislative Chamber (Federal District
Deputies);
 Local level - City Council (City Councilmen).

The federal legislative system is bicameral, composed of the Federal Senate (Upper
House) and the Chamber of Deputies (Lower House or Federal Chamber), and
assisted by the Federal Court of Audit (TCU). Together, the Federal Senate and the
Chamber of Deputies make up the National Congress (CN), which is presided over by
the President of the Federal Senate. The remaining offices of the Board of the
National Congress are held alternately by the holders of equivalent offices in the
Chamber of Deputies and in the Federal Senate.
The Chamber of Deputies represents the people. The system of elections of Deputies
is proportional to the population, with a minimum of eight and a maximum of
seventy Deputies per each unit of the Federation. The present composition of the
Federal Chamber is 513 Deputies, with substitutes being selected according to the
number of votes given to each party. Deputies serve for four years. To be elected
deputies, Brazilian citizens must be over 21 years of age and have Brazilian
nationality, besides all normal requirements for an elected office. However, the office
of President of the Chamber of Deputies must be held exclusively by a native-born
Brazilian, for a term of office of two years, reelection being forbidden in the same
legislative term.
The Federal Senate represents the 26 (twenty-six) States and the Federal District. The
system of elections of Senators is based on the majority principle. There must be
three Senators per State, and each Senator is elected with two substitutes. One-third
and two-thirds of the representation of each state and of the Federal District shall be
renewed every four years, alternately, totaling 81 representatives in that House.
Senators serve for eight years, with unlimited reelections. To be elected Senators,
Brazilian citizens must be over 21 years of age and have Brazilian nationality, besides
all normal requirements for an elected office. Nevertheless, the office of President of
the Federal Senate must be held exclusively by a native-born Brazilian, for a term of
office of two years, reelection being forbidden in the same legislative term.
1.5.1 The Making of Laws
The making of laws consists of a relatively complex and rather arduous process to
which each bill is submitted so that it will eventually become a legal rule. The lawmaking process is comprised of seven steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
initiative;
debate;
voting;
passing;
sanction or veto;
enactment;
7. publication.
The legislative process begins with a bill of law in one of the Houses - the Chamber of
Deputies or the Federal Senate, thus called Originating House. Bills originating from
the President of the Republic, the Supreme Federal Court, the Higher Courts, a
Federal Deputy, the Federal Prosecutor-General, or citizens begin in the Chamber of
Deputies. Those originating from a Senator or a State Legislative Assembly begin in
the Federal Senate. Within the originating House, the bill of law is submitted to a
technical, material, and formal analysis, which is carried out by the corresponding
committees of that House. The Chamber of Deputies has 20 standing committees,
and the Senate eight. If the bill of law is approved by the competent committees, it is
forwarded to the plenary assembly, to be voted on. After being voted on, it is
dismissed if rejected, or forwarded to the reviewing House if approved.
The reviewing House is obviously the one that did not originate the bill of law. If the
bill is rejected, it is dismissed; if it is amended, it is returned to the originating House
to be appreciated; if it is approved, depending on the object of the bill, it is forwarded
to the President of the Republic to be sanctioned or vetoed.
Upon receiving a bill of law, the President of the Republic may sanction it or veto it in
whole or in part - provided that this partial veto regards the whole text of an article,
paragraph, item, or sub item. Vetoing isolated words is not permitted. Such veto must
be issued within 15 days, and must be expressly based on unconstitutionality or
damage to public interest, which is an entirely subjective criterion. Furthermore, a
veto is not an absolute decision - rather, it can be overridden by members of the
National Congress, who shall analyze it within 30 days counted from the date of
receipt. If the veto is overridden, the bill shall be sent to the President of the Republic
for promulgation.
The President of the Federal Senate shall promulgate such bill if the President of the
Republic refuses to do so, even though such promulgation is incumbent upon the
latter. If the President of the Federal Senate also refuses to promulgate the bill, the
Vice-President of the Federal Senate must do so, thus allowing it to be published,
which is an essential condition for it to be effective. Promulgation by the President of
the Republic and by the President of the Federal Senate must take place within 48
hours.
According to article 59 of the Federal Constitution, the legislative process comprises
the preparation of the following legislative initiatives:
1. Constitution (the supreme law)
2. Amendments to the Constitution
3. Laws that are supplementary to the Constitution (federal, state,
Federal District, or local laws)
4. Ordinary laws (either federal, state, Federal District, or local
laws)
5. Delegated laws (federal)
6. Provisional measures
7. Legislative decrees
8. Resolutions.
The above-mentioned legislative initiatives, in the order they have been described,
establish the hierarchical principle, with the exception of provisional measures, which
merely make part of the legislative process.
Amendments to the Constitution (Emendas à Constituição) consist of changes to the
constitutional text, of a large or small scope, making additions, deletions, or even
alterations. The Constitution may be amended on the proposal of at least one-third of
the members of the Chamber of Deputies or of the Federal Senate, or the President of
the Republic; or of more than one half of the State Legislative Assemblies. Such
amendments must respect certain fundamental principles: Federalism; direct, secret,
universal, and periodic vote; individual rights and guarantees; and separation of
powers. Approval requires two readings in each House of the National Congress, with
three-fifths of the votes of the respective members. It must be emphasized that a
Constitutional Amendment does not depend on sanction by the President of the
Republic, since it is a competence of the National Congress.
Supplementary Laws (Leis complementares à Constituição) are admissible only in
the cases expressly authorized by the Constitution. They differ from amendments to
the Constitution because they neither become an integral part of the Constitutional
text, nor require such a rigid quorum to be approved - the votes of the absolute
majority of the members of each House suffice.
A supplementary law (Lei complementar) is a separate law, as its name indicates,
since it supplements the Constitution, without interfering with the constitutional text.
In fact, it offers a separate complement to the Constitution, by detailing a matter
which the Constitution dealt with only generically.
Approval requires two readings in each house of the National Congress, with the
votes of the absolute majority of members. Approval by the President of the Republic
is required.
Ordinary Laws (Leis ordinárias) are common laws, in the essential meaning of the
word. They are laws originating from the Legislative Branch, in the exercise of its
primary legislating function. They deal with all subjects, except those which will be
specifically dealt with by a supplementary law. Approval requires one reading in each
House of the National Congress, with the vote of a simple majority, and sanction by
the President of the Republic.
A Provisional Measure (Medidas provisórias) is a sui generis legislative initiative. It
is issued by the President of the Republic in important and urgent situations, has a
temporary nature, with the force of law, and must be submitted to the National
Congress, to go through the entire legislative process, following the procedures
required for ordinary laws. After being examined by the National Congress, it shall be
converted into an ordinary law if it is approved. If it is rejected, either tacitly or
expressly, it loses effectiveness ex tunc, and the National Congress shall regulate the
legal relations arisen there from.
"Constitutional amendment 32 has implemented significant modifications to the
provisions pertaining to Provisional Measures. Currently, they remain valid only for
60 days and may be renewed for an additional 60 days, a maximum of 120 days.
Within this period, the National Congress is required to vote on the Provisional
Measure. If it is not debated within 45 days after taking effect, it automatically freezes
the voting agenda. If 120 days have passed without a vote, the Provisional Measure
becomes invalid and its legal relations must be regulated by legislative decree. The
decree must be published within 60 days after rejection or invalidity of the
Provisional Measure. Otherwise, the legal relations formed as a result of the acts
performed while the Provisional Measure was in effect will continue to be governed
by such Measure." (Martins, 2002)
Delegated Laws (Leis delegadas) are issued by one Branch, by means of delegation of
competence from another Branch. The second one of these Branches (the delegate)
would not normally have competence to prepare that law, but has acquired the power
to do so by virtue of delegation from the first one (the delegating authority).
According to the express provisions of article 68 of the Federal Constitution,
delegated laws shall be drawn up the President of the Republic, who shall request
delegation from the National Congress. Paragraph 1 of this article stipulates those
initiatives within certain exclusive competences which may not be delegated to
another Branch.
Legislative Decrees (Decretos legislativos) are initiatives within the exclusive
competence of the National Congress and independent from sanction by the
President of the Republic. Their primary purpose is the approval, by the National
Congress, of initiatives taken by the Head of the Nation. Approval requires a simple
majority.
Resolutions (Resoluções) are initiatives connected to the exclusive activities of the
National Congress, are also independent from sanction by the President of the
Republic, and are directed to specific purposes. Approval requires a simple majority.
There are some resolutions which have the force of law, even though they are not part
of the legislative process: the resolution which establishes the Internal Rules of the
Supreme Federal Court, and the resolutions issued by the Higher Electoral Court to
guarantee the total enforcement of electoral legislation.
1.5.2 Legislative Systems in the States and Municipalities
"The preparation of state and local laws virtually repeats the federal legislative
process (effected by the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies). The fact that
the Federal Constitution sets forth the general rules to be followed is further
confirmation of this legislative correlation.
In the States, the Executive Branch is represented by the Governor. The Legislative
Branch is represented by the State Deputies, who convene in the State Legislative
Assembly.
In the Municipalities, the Executive Branch is represented by the Mayor. The
Legislative Branch is represented by the City Councilmen, who convene in the City
Council." (Secco, p. 178).
Reference Works
BASTOS, Aurélio Wander. Introdução à teoria do Direito. 2. ed. Rio de Janeiro:
Lumen Juris, 1999. 309p.
MARTINS, Rubens Duffles. Constitutional Amendment 32 and Provisional Measures.
Lawgico, ano. 2, n. 17, nov./dez. 2002. Disponível em <
http://www.lawgico.com.br/pdf/lawgico17.pdf > Acessado em 9 maio 2004.
SECCO, Orlando de Almeida. Introdução ao estudo do Direito. 5. ed. Rio de Janeiro:
Lumen Juris, 1999. 253p.
2 BRAZILIAN PRIMARY LEGAL RESOURCES
The legal instrument that sets forth the Brazilian Civil Code [Lei de Introdução ao
Código Civil Brasileiro] (Decree-law nº 4,657, September 4, 1942) establishes that
"save for provisions to the contrary, the law shall come into force in the entire country
forty-five days after its official publication."
The official sources for the publication of legal rules are Diário Oficial da União [the
Federal Official Gazette] and the Official Gazette of each State. Jurisprudence is
published in Diário da Justiça [Judiciary Gazette].
In Brazil, the texts of legal rules available on the Internet have only an informative
nature - they must have been previously published in the Official Gazettes.
2.1 Diário Oficial da União [Federal Official Gazette]
On October 1, 1862, the Government, under the Presidency of Pedro de Araújo Lima,
Marquis of Olinda, decided to print the Official Gazette, for the publication of legal
acts. The Official Gazette has been printed without interruption since that date.
The full text of the following is mandatorily published in the Federal Official Gazette:
laws, amendments to the Constitution, legislative decrees, and other acts resulting
from the legislative process; treaties, agreements, covenants, and other international
acts approved by the National Congress, and the respective decrees that promulgate
them; decrees, provisional measures, and other normative acts issued by the
President of the Republic; normative acts issued by Ministers of State, of a general
interest; opinions issued by the Federal Solicitor-General and the respective
President's decisions, except for those whose effects do not have a general nature;
judgments and decisions by the Federal Court of Audit; Judicial Branch matters of a
normative nature; acts concerning the appointment to or the vacancy of offices and
jobs, or the designation of employees and military to functions in the federal
government, its associate government agencies, and public foundations, as well as the
designation of Legislative Branch and Judicial Branch employees.
2.2 Diários oficiais estaduais [Official Gazettes of the States]
Each Brazilian State and the Federal District have their own Official Gazette. The
following States make their Official Gazettes available on the Internet.
2.2.1 Bahia
It offers Diário On-line [the Online Gazette], which allows research of the acts
published during that month. Search can be carried out according to date and section.
It also offers Diário Oficial Digitalizado [Digitalized Official Gazette] for the years
1999 and 2000.
2.2.2 Ceará
The Diário Oficial [Official Gazette of Ceará] on Internet allows research on 18.000
issues, since its first issue, October, 16 1993, until now. Search can be carried out by
date, by state government body which issued the rule, or by type of rule.
2.2.3 Espírito Santo
It's the second oldest Official Gazette in Brazil. Search can be carried out by date and
key-words.
2.2.4 Mato Grosso
Search can be carried out by date, since August, 2003.
2.2.5 Minas Gerais
Research of Diário Oficial de Minas Gerais [Official Gazette of Minas Gerais]
requires subscription and can be done from January 6, 1998. Search can be carried
out by date, by section, or by keyword.
2.2.6 Pará
The latest six months' issues are available. Search can be carried out by date, by state
government body which issued the rule, or by type of rule.
2.2.7 Paraná
Allows search by date and by words of the latest 30 days' issues.
2.2.8 Pernambuco
The latest ten issues of Diário Oficial do Estado [Official Gazette of the State] are
available for search. The database is divided into three major areas, according to the
three branches of government. The Executive Branch area is further divided into
secretariats and other government offices.The Legislative Branch area presents the
business of the latest ten daily sessions of the State Legislative Assembly. Finally, one
can research the acts of the Judicial Branch, according to the following subdivisions:
Tribunal de Justiça do Estado [State Court of Justice], Corregedoria Geral da
Justiça [General Supervision of the Administration of Justice], Tribunal Regional
Eleitoral [Regional Electoral Court], the various Varas da Justiça Federal [Courts of
First Instance of Federal Justice], Procuradoria Geral de Justiça [Office of the State
Prosecutors], and Ministério Público do Trabalho [Federal Labor Prosecution].
2.2.9 Rio Grande do Norte
Departamento Estadual de Imprensa [the State Press] makes available the latest
seven editions of Diário Oficial on-line do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte [the
online Official Gazette of the State of Rio Grande do Norte], containing texts received
in digital format, which represent approximately 80% of the original gazette. Texts
received in paper copies cannot be found online.
2.2.10 Rio Grande do Sul
Search can be carried out by date and key-words.
2.2.11 Santa Catarina
Search can be carried out by key-words.
2.2.12 São Paulo
The Official Press homepage allows you to research the Official Gazettes of the State
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. The Executive Branch area presents the
acts by the Governor, the State Secretaries, and the various State agencies which are
already linked by a computer system, in addition to the matters regarding Mídia
Eletrônica - Negócios Públicos [Electronic Media - Public Business]. The Judicial
Branch area presents the acts by the President of the State Court of Justice and by the
General Supervision of the Administration of Justice. The section regarding the
Legislative Branch, which includes the State Court of Audit, is entirely available.
2.3 Diário da Justiça [Judiciary Gazette]
The following must be published in Diário da Justiça: those acts of a judicial nature
issued by the Judicial Branch and by the bodies that assist in the administration of
Justice; the designation of members of the Office of the Prosecutor for the Public
Interest to act as representatives of the Federal Government in lawsuits; and the
designation of attorneys by OAB - the Brazilian Bar Association - to render free legal
assistance.
3 BRAZILIAN INSTITUTIONS DEALING WITH JURIDICAL
INFORMATION
3.1 Libraries
Brazilian universities with Law schools have exceptional libraries specialized in legal
bibliography. Conselho da Justiça Federal offers a list of libraries, virtual libraries
and information services in Brazil and around the world.
We are indicating only Rede de Bibliotecas [the Library Network], maintained and
managed by the Federal Senate, because it includes the largest number of law
libraries and because it is responsible for publishing the Bibliografia Brasileira de
Direito - BBD (Brazilian Law Bibliography).
The Network includes fifteen libraries of the Federal Government, belonging to the
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches, and the Library of the Legislative
Chamber of the Federal District. These libraries feed five databases on a cooperative
basis: Monographs, Serial publications, VCBS (Vocabulário Controlado Básico) [Basic
Controlled Vocabulary], AUTR [authority control of name headings] and Newspaper
articles.
Since 1986, the Library has been publishing the Bibliografia Brasileira de Direito BBD (Brazilian Law Bibliography), containing bibliographical references of books
and articles of periodicals. The BBD is distributed free of charge to national and
foreign institutions.
The following is a list of institutions which make up the Library Network:
Advocacia Geral da União - AGU [Office of the Solicitor-General of the
Union]
Address:
Coordenação de Documentação e Biblioteca
Palácio do Planalto, Anexo IV
70150-901 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 225 3611/411 2709
Fax: (55-61) 322 9096
E-mail: biblioteca.agu@agu.gov.br
Câmara dos Deputados - CD [Chamber of Deputies]
Address:
Coordenação de Biblioteca
Praça dos Três Poderes, Anexo II
70160-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: 55- 318 6834
Fax: (55- 318 2116)
E-mail: serfe.cedi@camara.gov.br
Câmara Legislativa do Distrito Federal - CLDF [Legislative Chamber of the
Federal District]
Address:
Setor de Documentação Legislativa
SAIN Parque Rural
70086-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 348 8430
Fax: (55-61) 348 8431
E-mail: biblioteca@cl.df.gov.br
Ministério da Marinha - Estado Maior da Armada - MM-EMA [Ministry of
the Navy -General Staff of the Armada]
Address:
Biblioteca
Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco 3, 5o. andar
70055-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55- 61) 429 1104
E-mail: biblioteca@ema.mar.mil.br
Ministério da Justiça - MJ [Ministry of Justice]
Address:
Coordenação de Documentação e Biblioteca
Esplanada dos Ministérios, Ed. Sede, Térreo
70064-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 429-3275
Fax: (55-61) 321 4797
E-mail: biblioteca@mj.gov.br
Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego - MTE [Ministry of Work and
Employment]
Address:
Coordenação de Documentação e Biblioteca
Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco 10, Anexo B, térreo
70059-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 317-6186
Fax: (55-61) 224 7536
E-mail: biblioteca.cdb@mte.gov.br
Procuradoria Geral da República - PGR [Office of the Federal Prosecutors]
Address:
Coordenadoria de Documentação e Biblioteca
Av. L2 Sul, Quadra 603, Lote 23, Sala 32
70200-901 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 313 5180
Fax: (55- 61) 313 5388
E-mail: cdb@pgr.mps.gov.br
Centro de Informática e Processamento de Dados do Senado Federal PRODASEN [Federal Senate Computer and Data Processing Center]
Address:
Biblioteca Técnica
Anexo C do Senado Federal
70160-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 311 3717/311 3679
Fax: (55-61) 323 7932
E-mail: claudia@senado.gov.br
Senado Federal - SF [Federal Senate]
Address:
Biblioteca Acadêmico Luiz Viana Filho
Praça dos Três Poderes, Anexo II
70165-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 311 3943 / 3944
Fax: (55-61) 311 1665
Supremo Tribunal Federal - STF [Supreme Federal Court]
Address:
Serviço de Documentação
Praça dos Três Poderes, Anexo II 1º andar
70175-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 316 3523
Fax: (55- 61) 316 5067
E-mail: biblioteca@stf.gov.br
Superior Tribunal de Justiça - STJ [Higher Court of Justice]
Address:
Secretaria de Documentação
Biblioteca Ministro Oscar Saraiva
SAS Quadra 06, Lote 1, Bloco F, 1o. andar
70070-600 - Brasília - DF.
Tel: (55-61) 319 9402
Fax: (55-61) 319 9554/319 9385
E-mail: biblioteca@stj.gov.br
Superior Tribunal Militar - STM [Higher Military Court]
Address:
Diretoria de Documentação e Divulgação (DIDOC) Biblioteca
Praça dos Tribunais Superiores, Ed. Sede, 10o. andar
70098-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 313 9183/313 9200
E-mail: sebib@stm.gov.br
Tribunal de Contas de Distrito Federal - TCDF [Court of Audit of the
Federal District]
Address:
Divisão de Documentação
Praça do Buriti, Palácio Costa e Silva, Subsolo
70075-901 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 314 2226
Fax: (55-61) 314 9259
E-mail: sebib@tc.df.gov.br
Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e dos Territórios - TJDF [Court of
Justice of the Federal District and of the Territories]
Address:
Serviço de Biblioteca
Praça do Buriti, Palácio da Justiça, Subsolo
70094-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 343 7237 or 343 7695
E-mail: biblioteca@tjdf.gov.br
Tribunal Superior do Trabalho - TST [Higher Court of Labor]
Address:
Serviço de Documentação
Praça dos Tribunais Superiores, S/N, Bloco D, Anexo II,
Térreo
70097-900 - Brasília, DF
Tel: (55-61) 314-4236
E-mail: biblioteca@tst.gov.br
3.2 Law Schools
Undergraduate studies in Law take an average of five years. To be allowed to exercise
the legal profession, holders of a degree in Law must pass the Brazilian Bar
Association (OAB) examination and register with this institution. The master's course
takes a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years. The doctorate takes a
minimum of two years and a maximum of five years.
We are investigating ways to extend access to RDN services and the metadata
information resources they themselves represent, through local annotation facilities
and interface with OPACs. A proposed development, provisionally called RDNLinkStore will provide a mechanism for creating and sharing lists of links which may
be made publicly available as reading lists with a means of annotating and
commenting on the records included in the lists.
The legal profession is regulated by Law no. 8,906, of July 14, 1994, which establishes
that the exercise of the legal profession in Brazil and the right to be called a lawyer
belong exclusively to those registered with the Brazilian Bar Association.
Foreigners or Brazilians who graduated in Law abroad must present a duly validated
certificate of respective course of study.
3.2.1 Undergraduate Courses
According to the Brazilian Bar Association, there are 762 Law courses in Brazil in
2004.
The following is a list of the best Brazilian universities which offer Law courses,
according to information provided by the Ministry of Education:

Faculdade Estadual de Direito do Norte Pioneiro
Address: Av. Manoel Ribas, 711, Caixa Postal 103
86400-000 Jacarezinho, Paraná
Phone #: 55-43-525-0862
Fax: 55-61-525-0941
e-mail: fundinop@fundinop.br
http://www.fundinop.br/

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (São Paulo)
Address: Rodovia Dom Pedro I - km 136
Jardim Santa Cândida
13086 - 900 Campinas, São Paulo
Phone #: 55-19-3756-7000
e-mail: ich@acad.puccamp.br
http://www.puccamp.br/

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (São Paulo)
Address: Rua Monte Alegre, 984 - Perdizes
05014-001 São Paulo, SP
Phone #: 555-61-3670-8000
e-mail: apoio@pucsp.br
http://www.pucsp.br

Universidade de Brasília (Distrito Federal)
Address: Faculdade de Direito - Campus Universitário
Asa Norte - 70919-970 - Brasília - DF
Phone #: 55-61-307 2349 e 55-61-307 2347
Fax: 55-61-273 3532
e-mail:fdir@unb.br
http://www.unb.br/fd/

Universidade de São Paulo (São Paulo)
Address: Largo de São Francisco, 95 - 1º andar
Centro - São Paulo - SP - CEP: 01005 - 010 - SP
Phone #: 55-11- 3111-4000
http://www.usp.br/fd/
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro)
Address: Rua São Francisco Xavier 524 - Maracanã 20550-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ
http://www.uerj.br

Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP
Address: Rua Major Claudiano, 1488 - Centro
Caixa Postal 211 14400-690 Franca, São Paulo
Phone #: 55-61-3711-1800
http://www.franca.unesp.br

Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
Address: Benjamin Constant, 790 - Centro
36015-400 Juiz de Fora - MG
Phone #: 55-32-3229-3980
e-mail: webmaster@csti.ufjf.br
http://www.ufjf.br

Universidade Federal do Paraná
Address: Rua XV de novembro, 1299
80060-000 Curitiba - Paraná
Phone #: 55-41-360 5000
e-mail: webmaster@cce.ufpr.br
http://www.ufpr.br/
3.2.2 Graduate Courses
According to data for the first half of 2004, there are 38 master's courses and
doctorates recognized by CAPES - Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de
Pessoal de Nível Superior [Foundation for the Coordination of Further Development
of Education Students].
The following is a list of universities which offer master's courses and doctorates:

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
Address: Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 225 - Gávea
22453-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Phone #: 55-21-529-9922
Fax: 55-21-274-4197
E-mail: ccpg@vrac.puc-rio.br
http://www.puc-rio.br/

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo
Address: Rua Monte Alegre, 984 - Perdizes
05014-001 São Paulo, SP
Phone #: 555-61-3670-8000
e-mail: apoio@pucsp.br
http://www.pucsp.br

Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro)
Address: Rua São Francisco Xavier 524 - Maracanã 20550-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ
http://www.uerj.br

Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Address: Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha
31270-901 Belo Horizonte - MG
Phone #: 55-31-3499-5000
Fax: 55-31-3499-4188
http://www.ufmg.br/

Universidade Federal do Paraná
Address: Rua XV de novembro, 1299
80060-000 Curitiba - Paraná
Phone #: 55-41-3605000
e-mail: webmaster@cce.ufpr.br
http://www.ufpr.br/

Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
Address: Av. Prof. Moraes Rêgo, 1235 - Cidade Universitária
50670-901 Recife - PE
Phone #: (55-81-271-8000)
http://www.ufpe.br/

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Address: Av. Paulo Gama, 110
90.040-060 Porto Alegre - RS
Phone #: 55-51-316-7000
E-mail: ufrgs@ufrgs.br
http://www.ufrgs.br/universidadeviva/

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Address: Campus Universitário - Trindade
Caixa Postal, 476
88040-900 Florianópolis, SC
Phone #: 55-48-331-9000
Fax: 55-48-234-4069
http://www.ufsc.br/

Universidade de São Paulo
Address: Largo São Francisco, 95 - Centro - Cidade Universitária
01005-010 - São Paulo - SP
Phone #: (55-11) 239 3077
E-mail: fd@edu.usp.br
http://www.usp.br/fd

Universidade Gama Filho (Rio de Janeiro)
Address: Unidade Candelária
Av. Presidente Vargas, 62 - 5º andar
20071-000 Rio de Janeiro-RJ
Phone #: (55-21) 518.2028 - ramal 144
Fax: (55-21) 518.2028 - ramal 116
E-mail: posdir@ugf.br
http://www.ugf.br/
3.3 Law Societies and Bar Associations
3.3.1 Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil [Brazilian Bar Association]
The first Law courses in Brazil were created in São Paulo and Olinda (PE), by a Law
of August 11, 1827. Brazilian lawyers, motivated by the organization of a Lawyers'
Association in Portugal, obtained the approval of the Imperial Government for the
By-laws of the Instituto da Ordem dos Advogados Brasileiros [Institute of the
Brazilian Lawyers' Order], on August 7, 1843. Article 2 of this document stipulated
that the purpose of the Institute was to organize the Brazilian Bar Association "for the
general good of the jurisprudence science".
Despite several initiatives, the creation of the Bar Association would become a fact
only around a century later, by means of article 17 of Decree no. 19,408, of November
18, 1930, which organized the Corte de Apelação [Court of Appeals].
The Bylaws of the Brazilian Bar Association were established by Law no. 8,906, of
July 4, 1994. The supreme body of the Association is the Conselho Federal [Federal
Board]. The Association relies on standing and temporary committees for the
performance of its functions.
The following is a list of state sections of the Brazilian Bar Association:
SECCIONAL [State Section]
Address
OAB Seccional Alagoas
http://www.oab.al.org.br/
OAB Seccional Bahia
http://www.oab-ba.com.br/
OAB Seccional Ceará
http://www.oabce.org.br/
OAB Seccional Distrito Federal
http://www.oabdf.com.br/
OAB Seccional Espírito Santo
http://www.oabes.org.br/
OAB Seccional Goiás
http://www.oab-go.com.br/
OAB Seccional Mato Grosso
http://www.oabmt.org.br/
OAB Seccional Mato Grosso do
Sul
http://www.oab-ms.org.br/
OAB Seccional Minas Gerais
http://www.oabmg.org.br/
OAB Seccional Pará
http://www.oab-pa.org.br/
OAB Seccional Paraíba
http://www.oabpb.org.br/
OAB Seccional Paraná
http://www.oabpr.com.br/
OAB Seccional Pernambuco
http://www.oab-pe.com.br/
OAB Seccional Piauí
http://www.oabpiaui.org.br/
OAB Seccional Rio de Janeiro
http://www.oab-rj.com.br/
OAB Seccional Rio Grande do
Norte
http://www.oab-rn.org.br/
OAB Seccional Rio Grande do
Sul
http://www.oab-rs.org.br/
OAB Seccional Rondônia
http://www.oab-ro.org.br/
OAB Seccional Santa Catarina
http://www.oab-sc.com.br/
OAB Seccional São Paulo
http://www.oabsp.org.br/
OAB Seccional Sergipe
http://www.oabsergipe.com.br
3.3.2 Associations of Lawyers, Judges, and Prosecutors





Associação dos Advogados de Campinas [Lawyers' Association of
Campinas]
Associação dos Advogados de São Paulo [Lawyers' Association of
São Paulo]
Associação Brasileira dos Advogados do Mercado Imobiliário
[Brazilian Association of Real Estate Lawyers]
Associação dos Juízes do Rio Grande do Sul [Association of
Judges of the State of Rio Grande do Sul]
Associação dos Magistrados Brasileiros [Association of Brazilian
Judges]








Associação do Ministério Público de Alagoas [Association of
Prosecutors for the Public Interest of the State of Alagoas]
Associação do Ministério Público do RS [Association of
Prosecutors for the Public Interest of the State of Rio Grande do
Sul]
Associação Nacional dos Magistrados da Justiça do Trabalho
[National Association of Labor Judges]
Associação Nacional dos Procuradores da República [National
Association of Federal Public Prosecutors]
Escola Nacional de Magistratura [National School of Judicature]
Instituto Brasileiro de Advocacia Pública (IBAP) [Brazilian
Institute of Prosecutors, Solicitors, and Public Defenders]
Instituto Brasileiro de Ciências Criminais [Brazilian Institute of
Criminal Sciences]
Instituto dos Advogados Brasileiros [Institute of Brazilian
Lawyers]
3.4 Brazilian Legal Publishing Houses
The Brazilian publishing market for legal texts has always been profitable and
prolific, leading to the publication of countless specialized periodicals edited by
commercial as well as university publishers. Some titles do not go beyond the first
few issues, but some commercial publishing houses and their publications are
traditional, like Revista Forense, published by Editora Forense, in circulation without
interruption since 1904, and Revista dos Tribunais, published by a publishing house
under the same name, in circulation since 1912.
The following is a list of sites of the more traditional legal publishing houses:
Coad
Editora Aduaneiras
Editora Atlas
Editora Consulex
Editora Forense
Editora Fórum
Editora Revista dos Tribunais
Editora Juarez de Oliveira
Editora NDJ
Editora Saraiva
Juruá Editora
Letra Legal Editora
Lex Editora
LTr Editora
Síntese Publicações
4 BRAZILIAN LEGAL RESEARCH
4.1 Miscellaneous
General research of texts of Brazilian legal rules can be carried out in government
sites, which offer information for free, and in non-governmental (commercial) sites,
which require a subscription. A major difficulty for foreign researchers is the
language, since the majority of Brazilian sites offer information only in Portuguese.
Few sites offer an optional language, but even in such cases, this option may be valid
only for the main menu or selected parts.
4.1.1 Non-government Sites
With the advent of the Internet, publishers have found a new mode to offer their
services. This is so true that lawyers are increasingly connected to the virtual world,
thus becoming the most frequent professional category on the Net. At an incredible
pace, legal sites have appeared that offer databases containing doctrine, full texts of
rules, former court rulings, a lawsuit tracking system, legal news, and information
about public competitive examinations.
Editora Saraiva has launched SaraivaData, a highly reliable site because of its
tradition in the area. Furthermore, in this site, each legal rule that has been published
is shown together with its links to others that are altered or revoked by it.
Sinequanon, launched by Editora ADV, offers the possibility to track lawsuits in real
time, integrating lawyers to almost 50 courts all over the country.
A group of young lawyers has launched BuscaLaw, expected to be the largest juridical
portal of Latin America on the Internet. The main objective of the portal is to mediate
the relations between those who offer and those who hire juridical services.
Another important portal in the juridical area, developed by three firms from
Brasília-DF (Atelier Comunicação e Internet, Interactv Conteúdo e Internet and
Interlux Tecnologia), is Direito.com In the beginning, it took over the oldest site in
this area in Brazil, Neófito, created by Sérgio Ricardo Marques, a lawyer from São
Paulo. Later, it became a partner of America OnLine (AOL). It offers searches in 121
courts of Brazil, chat rooms, and virtual interviews with Justices. Searches can be
made by either legislation or former court rulings in all Brazilian courts in record
time. However, if you prefer, you can search by court or region. The portal also offers
news from the legal world. There are links to Agência Brasil, Boletim Paulista do
Direito, Consultor Jurídico, Gazeta Mercantil, clipping of OAB-SP, Sinopses da
Radiobrás, STJ Notícias, STF Informativo, and STF Notícias. The icon ''Comunidade''
offers further services supplied by the portal. Internauts can find the electronic
address of Brazilian colleges, universities, and other courses, as well as the sites of
Procon in several states.
4.1.2 Government Sites
The homepage of each Ministry provides the legislation concerning its own area. The
best search strategy is to locate the Ministry responsible for the subject in question.
As a rule, each page of a Ministry site offers links to bodies of its own structure and to
others which deal with the same subject. The following is a list of all Ministries:
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Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária e Abastecimento [Ministry of
Agriculture and Supply]
Ministério do Desenvolvimento Social e Combate à Fome [Fight Against
Hunger and Food Security Extraordinary Ministry]
Ministério das cidades [Ministery of Cities]
Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Ministério das Comunicações [Ministry of Communications]
Ministério da Cultura [Ministry of Culture]
Ministério da Defesa [Ministry of Defense]
Ministério do Desenvolvimento Agrário [Ministry of Agrarian
Development]
Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio Exterior [Ministry of
Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade]
Ministério da Educação Ministry of Education]
Ministério do Esporte [Ministry of Sports]
Ministério da Fazenda [Ministry of Finance]
Ministério da Integração Nacional [Ministry of National Integration]
Ministério da Justiça [Ministry of Justice]
Ministério do Meio Ambiente [Ministry of the Environment]
Ministério de Minas e Energia [Ministry of Mines and Energy]
Ministério do Planejamento, Orçamento e Gestão [Ministry of Planning,
Budget, and Management]
Ministério da Previdência Social [Ministry of Social Security and Social
Assistance]
Ministério das Relações Exteriores [Ministry of Foreign Relations]
Ministério da Saúde [Ministry of Health]
Ministério do Trabalho e do Emprego [Ministry of Labor and Employment]
Ministério dos Transportes [Ministry of Transportation]
Ministério do Turismo [Ministry of Tourism]
There are two public institutions which present Brazilian legislation in general and
for free: the Federal Senate and the Presidency of the Republic.
The Federal Senate makes available several types of legislative information, such as
the reports of special investigating committees and bills of law. What is most
important is that it offers access to the full texts of Brazilian legislation.
Since 1973, the Federal Senate has been maintaining a database of legal rules
(NJUR), which comprises Brazilian federal legislation issued as from 1946. In 1995,
the first edition of a CD-ROM - Legislação Brasileira [Brazilian Legislation] was
launched, intended at expanding community access to legislation. Later, the same
information found in the CD-ROM was made available on the Internet; that is, it is
now possible to access the following legal rules issued as from 1987: the Federal
Constitution and its Amendments, Supplementary Laws, Ordinary Laws, Delegated
Laws, Provisional Measures, Decree-Laws, Legislative Decrees, Federal Senate
Resolutions, National Congress Resolutions, Declaratory Acts, Decrees, the Internal
Rules of the National Constituent Assembly, Acts of the Board of the National
Constituent Assembly, Constitutional Revision Resolutions, Acts of the Board of the
National Congress, Convocation Acts, and Additions to Convocation Acts.
Research can be carried out by type of rule, number, year, or law abstract.
The Senate homepage also offers access to the text of Provisional Measures. "Since
the time Provisional Measures became a part of the National Legal System, with the
advent of the Federal Constitution of 1988, the Federal Senate has been registering
the successive issuances of such acts and classified them in its Database of Legal
Norms (NJUR)". Research can be done by the number of the Measure or by the year
it was issued.
The Presidency of the Republic makes available, among other information, a link
called Legislação which offers access to the full text of the Constitution, codes, laws,
decrees, and provisional measures published between 1995 and 2001, as well as some
selected texts of legislation prior to 1995. Access can be obtained by number of the
rule or by subject.
Provisional measures are classified into measures under consideration, measures
turned into law, revoked measures, and expired (not re-issued) measures. There is
also a table showing measures issued and re-issued per administration.
4.2 Codes
The homepage of the Presidency of the Republic makes available the full text of
several codes. The original text is shown in black, altered provisions in blue, revoked
provisions in green, and added provisions in red.
CICBRAS - Edições & Promoções, a private publisher, offers the full text of Brazilian
codes by means of subscription.
4.2.1 Código Brasileiro de Aeronáutica [Brazilian Code of Aeronautics]
The Brazilian Code of Aeronautics was established by Law no. 7,565, of December 19,
1986. The Code is divided into eleven titles: Disposições gerais, Do espaço aéreo e
seu uso para fins aeronáuticos, Da infra-estrutura aeronáutica, Das aeronaves, Da
tripulação, Dos serviços aéreos, Do contrato de transporte aéreo, Da
responsabilidade civil, Das infrações e providências administrativas, Dos prazos
extintitivos, Disposições finais e transitórias [General Provisions; Airspace and its
use for aeronautic purposes; Aeronautic infrastructure; Aircrafts; Crew; Air services;
Air transportation contracts; Civil liability; Violations and administrative measures;
Termination deadlines; Final and transitional provisions].
Reference Work
PACHECO, José da Silva, 1924-.Comentários ao Código Brasileiro de Aeronáutica :
Lei n. 7.565, de 19-12-1986 /3. ed. rev. e atual. --Rio de Janeiro : Forense, 2001.687 p.
4.2.2 Código Brasileiro de Telecomunicações [Brazilian Code of
Telecommunications]
The Brazilian Code of Telecommunications was established by Law no. 4,117, of
August 27, 1962.
This Code does not correspond to the fast technological evolution of the sector. The
Brazilian sector of telecommunications has been through major restructuring in
recent years, and its entire regulatory framework has been revised and modified. The
main acts which regulate the sector are: Constitutional Amendment no. 8, of August
15, 1995; Lei Mínima das Telecomunicações [Emergency Telecommunications Basic
Act] (Law nº 9,295, of July 19, 1996); Lei Geral de Telecomunicações (LGT)
[Telecommunications General Act] - Law no. 9,472, of July 16, 1997; Plano Geral de
Outorgas (PGO) [Service Concession General Plan] - Decree nº 2,534, of April 02,
1998.
Reference Works
AZULAY NETO, Messod. O novo cenário das telecomunicações no Direito brasileiro.
Rio de Janeiro : Lumen Juris, 2000. 517p.
BRASIL. LEIS ETC. Vade-Mecum da comunicação. Organizado por Reinaldo Santos.
12. ed., rev. ampl. e atual. Rio de Janeiro : Destaque, 1998. 322p. ISBN 85-86718-15-7
LIMA JUNIOR, Almir Wirth.Telecomunicações Modernas : curso básico . 2. ed.
ampl. Rio de Janeiro : Book Express, 2001.290 p. : il.
4.2.3 Código Civil [Civil Code]
The Brazilian Civil Code was promulgated on January 1, 1916 (Law nº 3,071/1916)
and came into force on January 1, 1917.
The Code is comprised of two major sections: the General Part and the Special Part. It
is preceded by the Lei de Introdução ao Código Civil [the legal instrument that sets
forth the Brazilian Civil Code] (Decree-law nº 4,657, of September 4, 1942).
The General Part is divided into three books: Das pessoas, Dos bens e Dos atos
jurídicos [Persons; Goods; Juridical Acts]. The Special Part is divided into four
books: Direito de Família, Direito das Coisas, Direito das Obrigações e Direito das
Sucessões [Family Law; Property Law; Contracts Law; Descent Law].
The first major attempt to reform the Code took place in the beginning of the 1940's,
but it was not successful and could not prevent the enactment of countless laws which
altered the essential contents of the Civil Code.
The second attempt took place in the beginning of the 1960's, but was not successful
either. In 1975, the Executive Branch sent Message no. 160/75 to the National
Congress, with a proposal of a new Civil Code. The bill of law was numbered 634/75
and is still under consideration in the legislative Houses. The new code as proposed
would greatly help the commercial area, since it contains a new book - aspectos
negociais [business matters]. It was approved by the Federal Senate in the end of
November 2000 and is ready to be voted on by the plenary assembly. If it is
approved, it will come into force one year after its promulgation.
The need to rewrite the Civil Code is indisputable, especially considering that
Brazilian legislation witnesses a proliferation of extravagant laws, which leave out of
civil codification important areas such as tenancy, consumer relations, dissolution of
the marriage, authorship rights, condominiums, and acquisitions and mergers.
Reference Work
BRASIL. Código civil (1916). Código Civil: Lei n. 3.071, de 01.01.1916, atualizada e
acompanhada de legislação complementar, súmulas e índices sistemático e
alfabético-remissivo do Código Civil, cronológicos da legislação e alfabético da
legislação complementar, da Lei de Introdução e das súmulas / obra coletiva de
autoria da Editora Saraiva com a colaboração de Antônio Luiz de Toledo Pinto,
Márcia Cristina Vaz dos Santos Windt e Luiz Eduardo Alves de Siqueira. 51.ed. São
Paulo: Saraiva, 2000. 1376p. ISBN 8502022105
4.2.3A - New Civil Code
After 26 years of discussion, the Brazilian Senate has approved a new Civil Code, Law
no. 10.406, of January 10, 2002. The new Civil Code will be in force in January 11,
2003. Several of the measures adopted by the new code have already been in force
due to specific legislation, more than 50 decrees and laws, or for having been
included in the 1988 Constitution, among them the rights of children born from
artificial insemination, the possibility of donation of organs when the donor is still
alive, and the ability to sue for damages in cases of moral harm.
Reference Work
Brasil.Código Civil (2002). Novo Código Civil : excertos : dos títulos de crédito (arts.
887 a 926), do direito de empresa (arts. 966 a 1.195) : Lei 10.406/2002, em vigor a
partir de 11.01.2003. São Paulo : Revista dos Tribunais, 2002.27 p.
DALEVI, Alessandra. It's the law. Disponível em:
http://www.brazzil.com/cvrjan98.htm. Acessado em: 25 jan. 2002.
DINIZ, Maria Helena. Curso de direito civil brasileiro. 18. ed., rev. atual. de acordo
com o novo Código Civil, Lei n. 10.406, de 10-1-2002. São Paulo : Saraiva, 2002-.v. :
il.
4.2.4 Código Comercial [Commercial Code]
The primary source of Commercial Law, the Commercial Code was established by
Law no. 556, of June 25, 1850, and has already received countless alterations and
partial revocations, the last of which took place in 1986.
There is a collection of correlated new laws, such as the one regarding small and
micro businesses, the Consumer Defense Code, and others, but they are not
sufficient. Trade bills, stock exchanges, checks, and other issues of the same nature
are all demanding redefinition; after all, the use of former court rulings has prevailed
in these areas exactly due to the lack of current rules. There have been several
attempts to revise them, all of which were unsuccessful.
In the absence of specific rules of Commercial Law, one resorts to subsidiary sources,
in the following order: civil law, trade customs and usage, former court rulings,
analogy, and the general principles of Law.
The new Brazilian Civil code revoked the first part of the Commercial Code.
Reference Work
BRASIL. Código Comercial (1850).Código Comercial: atualizado até 31/12/2001 /7.
Ed. rev. atual. e ampl. São Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais, 2002.1151 p.
BRASIL. Código Comercial (1850). Código Comercial : Lei n. 556, de 25-06-1850,
atualizada e acompanhada de legislação complementar, inclusive Código de Proteção
e Defesa do Consumidor, Lei de Locação de Imóveis Urbanos e Lei de Sociedades
Anônimas, Súmulas e índices sistemático e alfabético-remissivo do Código Comercial,
cronológicos da legislação e alfabético da legislação complementar e das súmulas /
obra coletiva de autoria da Editora Saraiva com a colaboração de Antônio Luiz de
Toledo, Márcia Cristina Vaz dos Santos Windt e Luiz Eduardo Alves de Siqueira. 45.
Ed. São Paulo : Saraiva, 2000. 1223p. ISBN 8502022075
BRASIL.Código comercial (1850). Código comercial : atualizado até 06.01.2004 /
obra coletiva de autoria da Editora Revista dos Tribunais com a coordenação de
Giselle de Melo Braga Tapai e com a colaboração de Ana Paula Alexandre ... [et al.]. 9.
ed. rev., atual. e ampl. São Paulo : Revista dos Tribunais, 2004.1181 p.
CRETELLA JÚNIOR, José. 1.000 Perguntas e Respostas de Direito Comercial: para
as provas das faculdades de Direito, para os exames da OAB - Ordem dos Advogados
do Brasil, para concursos públicos. 7. ed. Rio de Janeiro : Forense, 2002.152 p.
4.2.5 Código das Águas [Code of Waters]
The basic legislation on this subject is found in the 1988 Federal Constitution, in the
state constitutions, and in the Code of Waters (Decree nº 24,643, of July 10, 1934),
and its subsequent alterations. There are also several other federal and state rules on
the subject. The following are the most relevant ones:
1. Law nº 6,938, of August 31, 1981, provides for the national environmental
policy, its purposes and mechanisms for preparation and enforcement,
and makes other provisions;
2. Law nº 7,802, of July 11, 1989, provides for research, experiment,
production, packaging and labeling, transportation, storage, sale,
commercial advertising, use, importation, exportation, final destination of
residues and packages, registration, classification, control, inspection, and
fiscalization of pesticides, their components and related substances, and
makes other provisions;
3. Law nº 9,433, of January 8, 1997, establishes the National Policy on
Water Resources, creates a national system for the management of water
resources, regulates item XIX of article 21 of the Federal Constitution, and
alters article 1 of Law no. 8,001, of March 13, 1990, which modified Law
no. 7,990, of December 28, 1989;
4. Law nº 9,605, of February 12, 1998, provides for penalties and
administrative sanctions resulting from conduct and activities harmful to
the environment, and makes other provisions.
Reference Work
BRASIL.Código de águas (1934). Código de águas : e legislação correlata. Brasília :
Senado Federal, Subsecretaria de Edições Técnicas, 2003. 234 p.
CRUZ, Fernando Castro da.Código de águas anotado : decreto nº 24.643 de 10 de
outubro de 1934 : doutrina, legislação, jurisprudência. 2. ed. rigorosamente
atualizada, conforme a Constituição Federal de 1988 e leis subsequentes,
especialmente pela de nº 9.605, de 06 de fevereiro de 1998. Belo Horizonte : Palpite,
2000?.160 p.
GRANZIERA, Maria Luiza Machado.Direito de águas : disciplina jurídica das águas.
2. ed., atual. com o novo Código Civil (Lei nº 10.406/2002). São Paulo : Atlas,
2003.249 p.
A TUTELA DA ÁGUA e algumas implicações nos direitos fundamentais. Coordenação
editorial Luiz Alberto David Araujo. Bauru, SP : ITE, 2002.288 p.
4.2.6 Código de Caça [Game Code] (Fauna Protection)
Protection of wild fauna is regulated by Law no. 5,197, of January 3, 1967, and its
alterations.
The penalties stipulated by the so called Game Code are set forth in article 27 of the
above-mentioned law, and by alterations introduced by Law nº 7,653, of February 12,
1988, and Law nº 7,679, of November 23, 1988. An aspect of great practical
importance is the concurrence of incriminating rules in the Game Code, the Penal
Code, and other statutes.
Some jurists consider the Game Code draconian, excessively punitive, and clearly out
of rhythm with the scale of judgments of Brazilian penal system.
Reference Work
DIAS, Edna Cardozo. A tutela jurídica dos animais. Belo Horizonte : Mandamentos,
2000.421 p.
4.2.7 Código de Conduta da Alta Administração Federal [Code of Conduct
for Higher Government Officials]
Decree nº 1,171, of June 22, 1994, approved the Código de Ética Profissional do
Servidor Público Civil do Poder Executivo Federal [the Code of Professional Ethics
for Civil Servants of the Federal Executive Branch], which applies to all civil servants,
including the President of the Republic and the Ministers of State.
On August 22, 2000, the Code of Conduct for Higher Government Officials was
published in the Federal Official Gazette, and it applies to over 400 Federal
Government employees, including ministers, secretaries of State, and top-level
employees. The Code of Conduct seeks to establish standards for, among other cases,
the acceptance of gifts and souvenirs, the lending of vehicles, and a quarantine which
forbids a civil servant from accepting any job in private enterprise during the first
four months after leaving a position in the Government.
4.2.8 Código de Mineração (Código de Minas) [Code of Mining - Code of
Mines]
The Code of Mining (Decree-law nº 1,985, of January 29, 1940) and the Regulamento
do Código de Mineração [Regulations of the Code of Mining] (Decree nº 62,934, of
July 2, 1968), the Código de Águas Minerais [Code of Mineral Waters] (Decree-law
nº 7,841, of August 8, 1945) and its alterations, are the basic rules of Mining Law.
The Code is divided into seven chapters: Das disposições preliminares, Da pesquisa
mineral, Da lavra, Das servidões, Das sanções e nulidades, Da garimpagem,
faiscação e cata (totalmente revogado pelas Lei nº 7.805, de 18 de julho de 1989, e
Lei nº 9.314, de 14 de novembro de 1996) e Das disposições finais [Preliminary
provisions; Mineral prospecting; Mining; Easements and Servitudes; Sanctions and
nullities; Prospecting, placer-mining, and panning (entirely revoked by Law no.
7,805, of July 18, 1989, and Law no. 9,314, of November 14, 1996); Final provisions].
The objective of Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral [the National
Department for Mineral Production], an associate government agency subordinated
to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, established by Decree nº 1,324, of December 2,
1994, pursuant to Law nº 8,876, of May 2, 1994, is to promote the planning and
development of mineral exploitation; to supervise geological and mineral
prospecting, as well as research on mineral technology; and to ensure, control and
oversee the exercise of mining activities throughout Brazilian territory, in accordance
with the Code of Mining, the Code of Mineral Waters, respective supplementary
regulations and legislation. The DNPM site offers the texts of mineral legislation,
including the Codes.
Reference Work
BRASIL.Código de Mineração (1967). Código de Mineração, Código de Águas
Minerais e legislação extravagante . São Paulo : Iglu, 2000. 499 p.
BRASIL.Código de Mineração (1967).Código de mineração, código de águas minerais
e legislação extravagante. Ozéias J. Santos, comp. --São Paulo : Iglu, 2000.499 p.
BRASIL. Código de mineração (1967).Código de mineração e legislação correlata.
Brasília : Senado Federal, Subsecretaria de Edições Técnicas, 2003.118 p.
FREIRE, William. Código de Mineração anotado e legislação complementar mineral
e ambiental em vigor 2. ed. rev., atual. e ampl. Belo Horizonte : Mandamentos, 2001.
688 p.
SERRA, Silvia Helena. Direitos Minerários : formação, condicionamento e extinção.
São Paulo : Signus Editora, 2000. 153 p.
4.2.9 Código de Processo Civil [Code of Civil Procedure]
The Code of Civil Procedure was established by Law nº 5,869, of January 11, 1973.
In that same year, it was reformed by Law no. 5,925, of October 1, 1973, which altered
approximately a hundred provisions of the Code.
During the 27 years it has been in force, some laws on specific matters have brought
about small, continuous reforms that have substantially changed the Code, so as to
accelerate proceedings, streamline procedural mechanisms, and eliminate
superfluous formalities.
1. Law nº 6,515, of December 26, 1977 (Divorce Act);
2. Supplementary Law nº 35, of March 14, 1979 (Organic Law of the
National Judicature);
3. Law nº 6,830, of September 22, 1980 (Tax foreclosure Act);
4. Law nº 6,899, of April 8, 1981 (Indexation Act);
5. Law nº 7,347, of July 24, 1985 (Law of Public Civil Actions);
6. Law nº 8,009, of March 30, 1990 (Restraint of mortgage on the
judgment debtor's residential property);
7. Law nº 8,038, of May 28, 1990 (regulates proceedings and appeals
before the Supreme Federal Court and the Higher Court of Justice);
8. Law nº 8,078, of September 11, 1990 (Consumer Protection Code);
9. Law nº 8,455, of August, 1992 (expert evidence);
10. Law nº 8,898, of June 29, 1994 (liquidation of any amounts involved in
a final judgment);
11. Law nº 8,951, of December 13, 1994 (actions to pay a debt into the
court; adverse possession);
12. Law nº 8,952, of December 13, 1994 (discovery process; preventive
injunction);
13. Law nº 8,953, of December 13, 1994 (execution proceeding);
14. Law nº 9,079, of July 14, 1995 (writ of monition - demanding
immediate payment);
15. Law nº 9,099, of September 26, 1995 (Civil and Criminal Special
Courts)
16. Law nº 9,139, of November 30, 1995 (interlocutory appeal);
17. Law nº 9,245, of December 26, 1995 (summary proceeding);
18. Law nº 9,756, of December 17, 1998 (processing of appeals at Court
level);
19. Law nº 9,868, November 10, 1999 (proceeding and judgment of the
suit for declaration of unconstitutionality and the constitutionality
declaratory action before the Supreme Federal Court).
Reference Work
BARBI, Celso Agrícola. Comentários ao Código de Processo Civil : Lei n. 5.869, de 11
de janeiro de 1973. 11. ed., rev. e atual. por Eliana Barbi Botelho. Rio de Janeiro :
Forense, 2002.
BRASIL. Código de Processo Civil (1973). Código de Processo Civil : atualizado até
04.01.2002 . 7. ed. rev., atual. e ampl. São Paulo : Revista dos Tribunais, 2002.1075
p.
BRASIL. Código de Processo Civil (1973). Código de Processo Civil : Lei n. 5.869, de
11-01-1973, atualizada, acompanhada de legislação complementar especial e súmulas,
de índices cronológicos e alfabético da legislação complementar e das súmulas e
sistemático e alfabético-remissivo do Código de Processo Civil. 32. ed. São Paulo :
Saraiva, 2002.1104 p.
CARNEIRO, Paulo Cézar Pinheiro.Comentários ao Código Processo Civil . 2. ed. Rio
de Janeiro : Forense, 2002.v.
MIRANDA, Pontes de.Comentários ao Código de processo civil. 2. ed., rev. e aum.
atualização legislativa de Sérgio Bermudes. Rio de Janeiro : Forense, 2002.v.
4.2.10 Código de Processo Penal [Code of Criminal Procedure]
The Code of Criminal Procedure, promulgated by Decree-Law nº 3,689, of October 3,
1941, is the main normative source of ordinary Procedural Law. However, there is a
list of norms that complete or change the Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows:
1. Lei de Introdução ao Código de Processo Penal [legal instrument that
sets forth the Code of Criminal Procedure] (Decree-law nº 3,931, of
December 11, 1941);
2. Legislation on press crimes (Law nº 5,250, of February 9, 1967 and Law
nº 2,728, of Februrary 18, 1956);
3. Law on crimes against the State and social and political order (Law nº
1,802, of Januray 5, 1953);
4. Law on People's Economy (Law nº 1,521, of December 26, 1951).
5. Bankruptcy Law (Decree-law nº 7,661, of 1945 and its alterations);
6. Code of Industrial Property (Law nº 9,259, of May 14, 1996);
7. Law on Trial by Jury (Law 263, of February 23, 1948 and its alteration);
8. Law on heinous crimes (Law 8,072, of July 25, 1990 and its alterations,
which defined heinous crimes, prohibited bail and release on own
recognizance, the impossibility of granting grace or pardon.)
The Code of Criminal Procedure is divided into six books: Proceedings in general,
Proceedings in manner, Nullity and appeals in general, Foreclosure, Jurisdictional
affairs with foreign authorities and General provisions.
Reference Work
BRASIL. Código de Processo Penal (1941). Código de Processo Penal : atualizado até
14.01.2002 .7. ed. rev., atual. e ampl. São Paulo : Revista dos Tribunais, 2002.897 p.
BRASIL. Código de Processo Penal (1941). Código de Processo Penal : Decreto-Lei n.
3.689, de 03-10-1941, atualizado, acompanhado de legislação complementar especial
e súmulas, de índices cronológicos e alfabético da legislação complementar e das
súmulas e sistemático e alfabético-remissivo do Código e Processo Penal. 42. ed. São
Paulo : Saraiva, 2002.968 p.
JESUS, Damásio E. de. Código de Processo Penal Anotado : acompanhado de
legislação complementar, súmulas do STF e do STJ, exposição de motivos, lei de
introdução e índice alfabético-remissivo do Código de Processo Penal. 18. ed. atual.
São Paulo : Saraiva, 2001.p.
MIRABETE, Júlio Fabbrini, 1935-.Código de Processo Penal Interpretado :
referências doutrinárias, indicações legais, resenha jurisprudencial: atualizado até
dezembro de 2001. 9. ed. atual. São Paulo : Atlas, 2002.1896 p.
4.2.11 Código de Propriedade Industrial [Industrial Property Code]
Established by Act n. 9279, 14th May, 1996, which rules on rights and duties related
to industrial property. Subdivided into eight titles: Das patentes (Patents), Dos
desenhos industriais (Industrial Designs), Das marcas (Trademarks), Das indicações
geográficas (Origin Determination), Dos crimes contra a propriedade industrial
(Offenses against Industrial Property), Da transferência de tecnologia e da franquia
(Transfer of Technology and Franchise), Das disposições gerais (General Provisions),
Das disposições transitórias e finais (Temporary and Final Provisions).
Reference Work
CRETELLA JÚNIOR, José. 1.000 Perguntas e Respostas de Direito Comercial : para
as provas das faculdades de Direito, para os exames da OAB - Ordem dos Advogados
do Brasil, para concursos públicos. 7. ed. Rio de Janeiro : Forense, 2002.152 p.
LOUREIRO, Luiz Guilherme de A. V. A Lei de Propriedade Industrial comentada:
Lei n. 9.279, de 14 de maio de 1996. São Paulo ; Lejus, 1999. 432p. ISBN 85-8548628-7
NEGRÃO, Ricardo. Manual de Direito Comercial. 2. ed. rev. Campinas : Bookseller,
2001.754 p.
4.2.12 Código de Proteção e Defesa do Consumidor - CDC [Consumer
Protection Code]
Established by Act n 8078, 11 September, 1990, published in the Federal Official
Gazette dated 12 September, 1990. Came into force on 11 March, 1991.
The CDC Code is a result of a constitutional determination as per article 5, item
XXXII and article 170, item V.
The Code is divided into six titles: TÍTULO I - Dos Direitos do Consumidor
(Consumer Rights), TÍTULO II - Das Infrações Penais (Criminal Offenses), TÍTULO
III - Da Defesa do Consumidor em Juízo (Consumer's Legal Defense), TÍTULO IV Do Sistema Nacional de Defesa do Consumidor (National System for Consumer
Protection) , TÍTULO V Da Convenção Coletiva de Consumo (Consumer Collective
Agreement), and TÍTULO VI - Disposições Finais (Final Provisions).
Reference Work
ALMEIDA, João Batista de. A Proteção Jurídica do Consumidor . 3. ed. rev., atual. e
ampl. São Paulo: Saraiva, 2002.629 p.
BRASIL. Código de Proteção e Defesa do Consumidor (1990). Código de Defesa do
Consumidor, Legislação de Defesa Comercial e da Concorrência, Legislação das
Agências Reguladoras, Constituição Federal . 3. ed., rev., atual. e ampl. São Paulo :
Revista dos Tribunais, 2002.963 p.
CÓDIGO DE DEFESA DO CONSUMIDOR : Legislação de defesa comercial e da
concorrência. Legislação das agências reguladoras. Constituição Federal : atualizados
até 05.01.2004 / organizador: Fernando de Oliveira Marques ; obra coletiva de
autoria da Editora Revista dos Tribunais com a coordenação de Giselle de Melo Braga
Tapai e com a colaboração de Ana Paula Alexandre ... [et al.]. 5. ed. rev., atual. e
ampl. --São Paulo : Revista dos Tribunais, 2004.1085 p.
RÊGO, Werson. O Código de Proteção e Defesa do Consumidor, a nova concepção
contratual e os negócios jurídicos imobiliários: aspectos doutrinários e
jurisprudenciais. Rio de Janeiro : Forense (www.forense.com.br ), 2001. 387p. ISBN
8530912594.
4.2.13 Código de Trânsito Brasileiro [Brazilian Traffic Code]
Brazilian Traffic Code in force today was established by Act n. 9503, 23 September,
1997. It was altered by Act n. 9602, 21st. January, 1998, and by Act n. 9792, 14 April,
1999. It is regulated by administrative directives issued by the National Traffic
Department (DENATRAN), and by resolutions, decisions and minutes on meetings of
the National Traffic Council (CONTRAN).
Reference Work
BRASIL. CODIGO DE TRÂNSITO BRASILEIRO (1997). Nova coletânea de
legislação de trânsito. Organizada por Carlos Flores Lazzari, Ilton Roberto da Rosa
Witter. 16. ed. atual. até 11 de janeiro de 1999. Porto Alegre: Sagra Luzzatto, 1999.
676p. ISBN 85-241-0328-0
BRASIL. CODIGO DE TRÂNSITO BRASILEIRO (1997). Código de Trânsito
brasileiro. 5 ed. São Paulo : Juarez de Oliveira, 2002.
MITIDIERO, Nei Pires. Comentários ao código de trânsito brasileiro : direito de
trânsito e direito administrativo de trânsito 1. ed. Rio de Janeiro : Forense,
2004.1499 p.
4.2.14 Código Eleitoral [Electoral Code]
Basic References for Electoral Law: Federal Constitution, Electoral Code and
resolutions by the Electoral High Court, which are equivalent to ordinary acts.
Brazil Electoral Code has 383 articles and is divided into five Parts: Parte I Introdução (Introduction), Parte II - Dos órgãos da Justiça Eleitoral (Electoral
Justice Bodies), Parte III - Do alistamento (Voters List), Parte IV Das eleições
(Elections), Parte V - Disposições Gerais e Transitórias (General and Temporary
Provisions).
Among the several Acts that rule the electoral system, the most important ones are
listed below:
1. Act n. 6091, 15 August, 1974, which provides, among others, for free
transportation on election day to voters living in rural areas (and
makes further provisions);
2. Act n. 6996, 7 June, 1982, which rules on electronic data processing in
electoral services (and makes further provisions);
3. Act n. 7444, 20 December, 1985, which rules on the adoption of
electronic data processing for compilation and revision of voter lists
(and makes further provisions);
4. Supplementary Act n. 64, 18 May, 1990, which rules, in accordance with
art. 14, § 9, of the Federal Constitution, on application of the
ineligibility clause;
5. Act n. 9096, 19 September, 1995, which rules on political parties, and
regulates articles 17 and 14, paragraph 3, item V, of the Federal
Constitution;
6. Act n. 9504, 30 September, 1997, which rules on election procedures
Reference Work
ALBUQUERQUE, Abadia Rodrigues.Código eleitoral e legislação em vigor. 3. ed. São
Paulo : Bestbook, 2004.542 p.
BRASIL. Código Eleitoral (1965).Código Eleitoral : Lei n. 4.737, de 15 de julho de
1965. Ed. rev. e atual. Rio de Janeiro : Idéia Jurídica, 2001.341 p.
BRASIL.Código Eleitoral (1965).Código Eleitoral : Lei n. 4.737, de 15-7-1965,
atualizada pelas Leis n. 9.504, de 30-9-1997 e n. 9.840, de 28-9-1999 : acompanhado
de legislação especial sobre: partidos políticos, eleições municipais, inelegibilidades,
responsabilidade de prefeitos e vereadores, Constituição Federal (dispositivos),
multas eleitorais, plebiscito, referendo e iniciativa popular, súmulas do TSE, índices
sistemático e alfabético-remissivo do Código Eleitoral, índice da legislação. 19. ed.
atual. e aum. São Paulo : Saraiva, 2001.395 p.
4.2.15 Código Forestal [Forest Code]
The Forest Code was established by Act n. 4771, 15 September, 1965.
Reference Work
MAGALHÃES, Juraci Perez. Comentários ao Código Florestal : doutrina e
jurisprudência. 2. ed., atual. e aum. São Paulo : J. de Oliveira, 2001.274 p.
MORAES, Luís Carlos Silva de. Código florestal comentado : com as alterações da Lei
de Crimes Ambientais, Lei n. 9.605/98. 3. ed. São Paulo : Atlas, 2002. 324 p.
ZANETTI, Eder. Meio ambiente : setor florestal. Curitiba: Juruá 2002.
4.2.16 Código Penal [Criminal Code]
Basic Legislation on Criminal Law includes, among others: Criminal Code, its General
Part introduced by Act n. 7209, 11 July, 1984; its Special Part according to provisions
established by Decree-Law n. 2848, 7 December, 1940, Penalty Act (Act n. 7.210, 11
July, 1984) and respective amendments, and several further legal instruments, as
those related to Authority Abuse (Act n. 4.898, 9 December, 1965, and respective
amendments); Act on People´s Economy (Act n. 1521, 26December, 1965 and
respective amendments), Afonso Arinos Act - on race or color bias or prejudice (Act
n. 1390, 3 July, 1951, as amended), the Press Act (Act n. 5250, 9 February, 1967 as
amended.
Reference Work
BITENCOURT, Cézar Roberto. Código Penal Comentado. São Paulo: Saraiva,
2002.1304 p.
BRASIL. Código Penal (1940). Código Penal: atualizado até 14.01.2002. 7. ed. rev.,
atual. e ampl. São Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais, 2002. 792 p.
BRASIL.Código Penal (1940). Código Penal : Decreto-Lei n. 2.848, de 7 de dezembro
de 1940, atualizado e acompanhado de legislação complementar, também atualizada,
de súmulas e de índices: sistemático e alfabético-remissivo do Código Penal,
cronólogicos da legislação e alfabético da legislação complementar, da Lei de
Introdução, da Lei das Contravenções Penais e das súmulas. Obra coletiva de autoria
da Editora Saraiva com a colaboração de Antonio Luiz de Toledo Pinto, Márcia
Cristina Vaz dos Santos Windt e Livia Céspedes. 40. ed. São Paulo: Saraiva, 2002.828
p.
4.2.17 Código Tributário Nacional [National Revenue and Taxation Code]
The National Revenue and Taxation Code was established by Act n. 5172, 25 October,
1966. It is divided into two books: National Taxation System and General Rules on
Taxation Law.
The first book includes legislation on tax competence, taxes, charges, specific benefits
charges, revenue sharing. The second book rules on tax legislation, tax due, tax credit
and tax administration.
Reference Work
BRASIL. CÓDIGO TRIBUTÁRIO NACIONAL (1966). Código Tributário Nacional :
atualizado até 31.12.2001. 7. ed. rev., atual. e ampl. São Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais,
2002. 857 p.
BRASIL. CÓDIGO TRIBUTÁRIO NACIONAL (1966). Código Tributário Nacional:
Lei n. 5.172, de 25-10-1966, atualizada e acompanhada de legislação complementar,
súmulas e índices sistemático e alfabético-remissivo do Código Tributário Nacional,
cronológicos da legislação e alfabético da legislação complementar e das súmulas. 31.
ed.São Paulo : Saraiva, 2002.1034 p.
BRASIL.Código Tributário Nacional (1966). Código tributário nacional à luz da
jurisprudência. Trabalho de pesquisa da Divisão de Divulgação Institucional do
Tribunal Regional Federal 1ª Região]. Brasília : TRF-1ª Região, 2004. 342 p.
4.2.18 Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (CLT) [Consolidation of Labor
Laws]
The Consolidation of Labor Laws, usually known as CLT, was passed during
President Getúlio Vargas' administration, May 1, 1943. It resulted from the work of a
Committee formed by a small number of famous jurists, assigned to present a bill for
the Consolidation of all Labor and Social Security legal instruments. No contribution
was received from the National Congress which, at the time, was kept inactive by the
President of the Republic.
It includes 922 articles, and 11 chapters, as follows: Título I - Introdução
(Introduction); Título II - Das normas gerais de tutela do trabalho (General
Standards on Labor Protection); Título III - Das normas especiais de tutela do
trabalho (Special Standards on Labor Protection); Título IV - Do contrato individual
do trabalho (Individual Labor Contract); Título V - Da organização sindical (Labor
Union Organization); Título VI - Das convenções coletivas de trabalho (Labor
Collective Conventions); Título VI a - Das comissões de conciliação prévia
(Preliminary Conciliation Committees); Título VII - Do processo de multas
administrativas (Administrative Penalties Procedures); Título VIII - Da justiça do
trabalho (Labor Justice); Título IX - Do Ministério Público do Trabalho (Federal
Labor Prosecution); Título X - Do Processo Judiciário do trabalho (Labor Judicial
Proceedings); and Título XI - Disposições finais e transitórias (Temporary and Final
Provisions).
Reference Work
BRASIL. CONSOLIDAÇÃO DAS LEIS DO TRABALHO (CLT) (1943). Consolidação
das Leis do Trabalho. 29. ed., ed. escolar. São Paulo: LTr, 2002. 662 p.
BRASIL. CONSOLIDAÇÃO DAS LEIS DO TRABALHO (CLT) (1943). Consolidação
das Leis do Trabalho : texto do Decreto-lei n. 5.452, de 1-5-1943, atualizado e
acompanhado de notas à legislação correlata, de legislação trabalhista especial, de
Regimento Interno do TST - excerto, de súmulas do STF, STJ, TFR, em matéria
trabalhista, e do TST - Enunciados 1 a 363, orientação jurisprudencial da SDI e da
SDC e precedentes normativos do TST, e de índices sistemático da CLT, numérico da
legislação, cronológico da legislação meramente alteradora e alfabético-remissivo da
CLT, da legislação complementar e das súmulas. 29. ed. atual. e aum. São Paulo:
Saraiva, 2002.1167 p.
RUSSOMANO, Mozart Victor. Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho : anotada. 4. ed.
Rio de Janeiro: Forense, 2002. 545 p.
SAAD, Eduardo Gabriel. Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho : comentada. 35. ed. São
Paulo: LTr, 2002. 760 p.
4.2.19 Estatuto da Criança e Adolescente [Child and Adolescent Statute]
The Child and Adolescent Statute was passed into law in 1990 (Act n. 8069, July13)
The Statute is divided into two books: General Part and Special Part. Book I, General
Part, has three Titles: Das Disposições Preliminares (Preliminary Provisions) (arts. 1
to 6), Dos Direitos Fundamentais (Fundamental Rights) (arts. 7 to 69, Da Prevenção
(Preventive Measures) (arts. 70 to 85).
Book II, Special Part, comprises seven Titles: Da Política de Atendimento (Assistance
Policy) (arts. 86 94), Das Medidas de Proteção (Protection Measures) (arts. 95 a 102),
Da Prática de Ato Infracional (Criminal Offenses) (arts. 103 a 128), Das Medidas
Pertinentes aos Pais ou Responsável (Duties Binding Parents or Guardians)(arts. 129
e 130), Do Conselho Tutelar (Guardianship Council ) (arts. 131 a 140), Do Acesso à
Justiça (Acess to Justice) (arts. 141 a 224), Dos Crimes e das Infrações
Administrativas (Crimes and Administrative Offences) (arts. 225 a 258) and, finally,
Disposições Finais e Transitórias (Temporary and Final Provisions) (arts. 259 to
267).
Reference Work
BRASIL. Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (1990). Estatuto da criança e do
adolescente : e legislação correlata : atualizado até 01.01.2004. Obra coletiva de
autoria da Editora Revista dos Tribunais com a coordenação de Giselle de Melo Braga
Tapai e com a colaboração de Ana Paula Alexandre ... [et al.]. São Paulo : Revista dos
Tribunais, 2004. 512 p.
CURY, Munir. Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente anotado. 2. ed. rev. e atual. São
Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais, 2000. 552p. ISBN 85-203-1812-6
ESTATUTO DA CRIANÇA E DO ADOLESCENTE. Org. por Benedito Calheiros
Bomfin. 5. ed. Rio de Janeiro : Destaque, 2002. 135 p.
ESTATUTO DA CRIANÇA E DO ADOLESCENTE COMENTADO : comentários
jurídicos e sociais. 4. ed., rev. e atual. São Paulo : Malheiros, 2002. 839 p.
4.3 Topic Search
4.3.1 Science and Technology
The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for the conception and
enforcement of the National Policy on Science and Technology, in accordance with
provisions established in Chapter IV of the 1988 Federal Constitution. The Ministry
was created on March 15, 1985, by Decree-Law n. 91146, 15 March, 1985, in its
capacity of central body of the Federal System of Science and Technology. Its
province includes the national scientific and technological heritage and its further
development; its related policy on cooperation and interchange; definition of the
National Policy on Science and Technology; coordination of sector policies; and the
national policy on research development, production and use of new high technology
services and materials.
Its web page offers access to such legal instruments as acts, decrees, presidential
temporary measures, administrative directives and other normative acts related to
science and technology activities in the country.
4.3.2 Foreign Trade
The Customs Regulations result from the amalgamation of all provisions on customs
legislation (Decree n. 91030, March 1985, and its supplementary rules). The Foreign
Trade Tax Legislation is directly related to the import tax on foreign products (II), the
tax on industrialized products (IPI) and the export tax (IE) and also to contributions,
charges and foreign exchange infractions related to import and export activities. All
administrative legislation on Foreign Trade is included in Directive SCE n.2, 22
December, 1992, and Directive SECEX n. 21, 12 December, 1996 and its
supplementary normative regulations.
Power to enforce foreign trade policies in Brazil is assigned to several ministries. The
main bodies involved are the Foreign Trade Chamber, Foreign Trade Secretariat,
Federal Revenue Secretariat (SRF), and Brazil Central Bank (BACEN). Respective
homepages display all customs and foreign trade legislation.
Reference Works
CARLUCI, José Lence. Uma Introdução ao Direito Aduaneiro. 2. ed. São Paulo :
Aduaneiras, 2001.510 p.
COLETÂNEA DAS LEIS DO COMERCIO EXTERIOR. -- v. 1 (19??)- . São Paulo:
Aduaneiras, 19??- (Publicação periódica atualizável em folhas soltas).
GARCIA JÚNIOR, Armando Álvares. Tributação no Comércio Internacional. São
Paulo: Aduaneiras 2001.145 p.
MARQUES, Alexandre de Moura. Comércio exterior: aspectos relativos às operações
de comércio exterior e internacional. Porto Alegre: Síntese, 1999. 83p.
REGULAMENTO ADUANEIRO : DECRETO N. 91.030, DE 05 DE MARÇO DE 1985.
26. ed. São Paulo: Aduaneiras, 1999. 181p.
SISCOMEX IMPORTAÇÃO : NORMAS GERAIS. 11. ED. São Paulo: Aduaneiras,
1999. 204p.
4.3.3 Children and Adolescents
The 1988 Constitution has established all duties binding the family, the society and
the State regarding children and adolescents. Among others, the special nature of
labor by minors was established in following items of paragraph 3, article 227:
"I - minimum age of fourteen years to be hired for employment , with due regard to
provisions in article 7, XXXIII;
II - guarantee of social security and labor rights;
III - guarantee of school access for the adolescent worker;
IV - guarantee of full and formal acknowledgement of offense determination, equal
rights in the procedural relationships and technical defense by a qualified
professional, pursuant to provisions set by a specific protection legislation;
V - compliance with the principles of brevity, specificity and respect to the peculiar
conditions of a developing person, when applying any measures to restrain freedom;
VI - Government support, by means of legal assistance, tax incentives and subsidies,
as provided by law, to the protection, through guardianship, of orphaned or
abandoned children or adolescents;
VII - prevention and special assistance programs for children and adolescents
addicted to narcotics or related drugs."
The 1988 Constitution further establishes that minors under eighteen years of age
may not be held criminally liable; instead they shall be subject to the ruling of special
legislation. It also determines that the law shall severely punish abuse, violence and
sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. It provides for adoption, its cases and
conditions, which shall be assisted by the Government.
In order to address the new constitutional framework and to comply with the latest
policy of integral protection to children and adolescents, new legislation was needed:
thus the Child and Adolescent Statute came to pass (Act n. 8069, 13 July, 1990).
The Statute is divided into two books: General Part and Special Part. The General
Part comprises three Titles: Das Disposições Preliminares (Preliminary
Provisions)(arts. 1. to 6.), Dos Direitos Fundamentais (Fundamental Rights) (arts. 7.
to 69.), Da Prevenção (Preventive Measures) (arts. 70. to 85.)
The Special Part comprises seven Titles: Da Política de Atendimento (Assistance
Policy) (arts. 86 to 94), Das Medidas de Proteção (Protection Measures) (arts. 95 to
102), Da Prática de Ato Infracional (Criminal Offences) (arts. 103 to 128), Das
Medidas Pertinentes aos Pais ou Responsável (Duties binding Parents Or Guardians)
(arts. 129 and 130), Do Conselho Tutelar (Guardianship Council) (arts. 131 to 140),
Do Acesso à Justiça (Access to Justice) (arts. 141 to 224), Dos Crimes e das Infrações
Administrativas (Crimes and administrative Offences) (arts. 225 to 258), and finally
Das Disposições Finais e Transitórias (Temporary and Final Provisions) (arts. 259 to
267).
All legislation providing for the protection of Children and Adolescents in Brazil
(including an English version of the Statute - ECA) can be accessed by visiting the
website of the National Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents
(CONANDA).
Reference Works
ASPECTOS JURÍDICOS DA CRIANÇA. Rio de Janeiro: Lumen Juris, 2001.162 p.
BRASIL. Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (1990). Estatuto da Criança e do
Adolescente : Lei n. 8069, de 13 de julho de 1990. Vauledir Ribeiro Santos, Cláudia
Beatriz M. Rodrigues, organização, remissões e índices. Campinas : Jurídica Mizuno,
1999. 381p.
CURY, Munir. Estatuto da criança e do adolescente anotado. 2. ed. rev. e atual. São
Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais, 2000. 552p. ISBN 85-203-1812-6
ESTATUTO DA CRIANÇA E DO ADOLESCENTE. Org. por Benedito Calheiros
Bomfin. 5. ed. Rio de Janeiro: Destaque, 2002.135 p.
ESTATUTO DA CRIANÇA E DO ADOLESCENTE COMENTADO : comentários
jurídicos e sociais. 4. ed., rev. e atual. São Paulo : Malheiros, 2002.839 p.
FIRMO, Maria de Fátima Carrada. A criança e o adolescente no ordenamento
jurídico brasileiro. Rio de Janeiro : Renovar, 1999. 258p. ISBN 85-7147-119-3
LIBERATI, Wilson Donizeti. Comentários ao Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente.
4. ed., 2. tiragem. São Paulo : Malheiros, 1999. 255p. ISBN 85-7420-096-4
MILANO FILHO, Nazir David.Obrigações e responsabilidade civil do poder público
perante a criança e o adolescente: em especial os direitos: fundamentais,
trabalhistas, previdenciário. São Paulo: Leud, 2002. 231 p.
QUEIROZ, Ari Ferreira de. Direito da Criança e do Adolescente. 4. ed. rev., ampl. e
atual. 2. tiragem. Goiânia : IEPC, 1999. 191p. (Coleção Jurídica)
SAAD, Martha Solange Scherer. Adoção Civil: implicações jurídicas em face da
constituição federal e do estatuto da criança e do adolescente. São Paulo: Jurídica
Brasileira, 1999. 60p. (Coleção Explicando Direito). ISBN 85-86271-38-1
SZNICK, Valdir. Adoção: Direito de Família, guarda de menores, tutela, pátrio poder,
adoção internacional. 3. Ed.. rev. e atual. São Paulo: LEUD, 1999. 532p. ISBN 857456-013-8
VERONESE, Josiane Rose Petry. Os direitos da criança e do adolescente. São Paulo :
LTR, 1999. 208p. ISBN 85-7322-762-1
4.3.4 Culture
The site on the Ministry of Culture supplies the full text of all Acts, Provisional
Measures, decrees, administrative directives and normative instruments related to
culture, with special focus on audio/video, authorship rights and software legislation.
Subjects are indexed, though without hyperlink; in order to access any item, you will
have to note the number of the legal instrument and return to the Homepage. There
is also a link to "international agreements" signed by the Brazilian Government,
though only the legislative reference and the full text is not supplied.
4.3.5 Consumer Rights
The Consumer Protection Code (CDC) was established by Act n. 8078, 11 September,
1990, published in the Federal Official Gazette dated 12 September, 1990, and in
force since 11 March, 1991. It is based on article 5., item XXXII and article 170., item
V of the Federal Constitution.
The CDC is divided into six Titles: TÍTULO I - Dos Direitos do Consumidor
(Consumer Rights), TÍTULO II - Das Infrações Penais (Criminal Offences), TÍTULO
III - Da Defesa do Consumidor em Juízo (Consumer Defense), TÍTULO IV - Do
Sistema Nacional de Defesa do Consumidor (On the National System of Consumer
Protection), TÍTULO V Da Convenção Coletiva de Consumo (Consumer Collective
Agreement), and TÍTULO VI - Disposições Finais (Final Provisions).
All agencies dealing with Consumer Protection are subordinated to the Ministry of
Justice. The duty of the Administrative Council on Economic Protection (Conselho
Administrativo de efesa Econômica - CADE) is to protect free economic competition,
spread the concept of competition by enlightening people on the matter of
infringement of the economic order and decide on matters related to such
infringements. The Council's authority covers the whole country. Its homepage
supplies all resolutions published on the subject. It also offers links to agencies
related to conpetition protection in foreign countries.
The Ministry of Justice's web page also supplies access to the CDC and related
legislation. In link "serviços", select "consumidor" which will lead you to four further
links: "Código de Defesa do Consumidor "(full text of the CDC), "Consulta a órgãos de
Defesa do Consumidor" (access to state agencies on consumer protection),
"Legislação" (full text of related legislation, which can be accessed by type of
normative rule and by subject), and National System for Consumer Protection.
Reference Works
ALMEIDA, João Batista de. A Proteção Jurídica do Consumidor. 3. ed. rev., atual. e
ampl. São Paulo: Saraiva, 2002.629 p.
BATISTI, Leonir. Direito do consumidor para o Mercosul: enfoque jurídico e
econômico dos blocos de integração. Curitiba: Juruá, 1998. 482p.
CARVALHO NETO, Frederico da Costa.Ônus da prova no código de defesa do
consumidor. São Paulo: J. de Oliveira, 2002.188 p.
CASTILHO, Ricardo dos Santos. A Defesa dos Interesses do Consumidor : da
legitimidade do Ministério Público nos interesses difusos, coletivos e individuais
homogêneos . São Paulo : Iglu, 2002.199 p.
CÓDIGO DE DEFESA DO CONSUMIDOR, Legislação de Defesa Comercial e da
Concorrência, Legislação das Agências Reguladoras, Constituição Federal . 3. ed.,
rev., atual. e ampl. São Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais, 2002.963 p.
CÓDIGO de proteção e defesa do consumidor. Anotado por Juarez de Oliveira e Ana
Cláudia Ferreira de Oliveira. 2. ed. São Paulo: J. Oliveira, 2000. 272p.
DONNINI, Rogério Ferraz. Responsabilidade pós-contratual no novo Código Civil e
no Código de Defesa do Consumidor. São Paulo : Saraiva, 2004.163 p.
ELIAS, Helena. O dano moral na jurisprudência do STJ. Rio de Janeiro : Lumen
Juris, 2004.162 p.
GAMA, Hélio Zaghetto. Curso de direito do consumidor. Rio de Janeiro:
Forense,1999. 205p.
INSTITUTO BRASILEIRO DE DEFESA DO CONSUMIDOR. A proteção ao
consumidor de serviços públicos. São Paulo : Max Limonad, 2002. 500 p.
LOUREIRO FILHO, Lair da Silva. Código do consumidor interpretado pelos
tribunais. São Paulo: J. de Oliveira, 2000.
MAMEDE, Gladston. Direito do consumidor no turismo : código de defesa do
consumidor aplicado aos contratos, aos serviços e ao marketing do turismo. São
Paulo : Atlas, 2004.188 p.
MARTINS, Plínio Lacerda. O Abuso nas Relações de Consumo e o Princípio da BoaFé. Rio de Janeiro: Forense, 2002.182 p.
NUNES, Luiz Antônio Rizzatto. O código de defesa do consumidor e sua
interpretação jurispurdencial. 2. ed. rev. e ampl. São Paulo: Saraiva, 2000. 589p.
OLIVEIRA, Celso Marcelo de. Código de Defesa do Cliente Bancário : à luz do Código
de Defesa do Consumidor. Campinas: LZN, 2002. 441 p. + 1 cd-rom.
OLIVEIRA, Celso Marcelo de. Limite Constitucional dos Juros Bancários : doutrina e
jurisprudência. 2 ed. Campinas: LZN, 2002.843 p.
SAAD, Eduardo Gabriel. Comentários ao código de defesa do consumidor: Lei n.
8.078, de 11-9-90. 4. ed. rev. e ampl. São Paulo: LTR, 1999. 796p.
SANTOS, Ozéias J. Código de defesa do consumidor interpretado. Campinas: Aga
Juris, 1998. 471p.
4.3.6 Education
The Brazilian Educational System is ruled by the "Education Guidelines and
Framework Act" (LDB), Act n. 9394, dated 20 December, 1996, also known as "Darcy
Ribeiro Act". The full text of this Act can be accessed in the Ministry of Education
(MEC) homepage. Likewise you may access all legislation ruling on Higher
Education, Distance Learning, Professional Education, the Fund for Elementary
Education Maintenance and Development, and for Teaching Excellence Recognition,
Resolutions and Opinions by the National Council on Education.
Another remarkable research source on educational legislation is the homepage of the
Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais (National Institute of Studies
and Research on Education), which has developed a system called Sistema ProLei
(Program of Integrated Educational Legislation), where you may access federal, state
or municipal legislation on the matter.
Reference Works
AGUIAR, Ubiratan. LDB comentada. Fortaleza : Premius, Livro Técnico, 2000. 547p.
BOMFIM, C. Calheiros. Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação e Legislação
Complementar. 2.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Destaque, 1999. 86p.
CARDOSO, Claiton Muriel (org.). Indicador educacional atualização 1999: legislação
e jurisprudência da educação brasileira, inclusive tribunais. Belo Horizonte : EdiTau,
2000. 140p.
LOPES, Maurício Antônio Ribeiro. Comentários A Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da
Educação: Lei 9.394 de 20.12.1996 e Jurisprudência sobre Educação. São Paulo:
Revista dos Tribunais, 1999. 502 p.
4.3.7 Elections
The fundamental sources of Electoral Law are: The Electoral Code (Act n. 4737, 15
July, 1965, and its several revisions), Organic Act of the Political Parties (Act n. 9096,
19 September, 1995) and Supplementary Act n. 64, 18 May, 1990, that establishes the
cases of non eligibility.
The Brazilian Electoral Code has 383 articles and is divided into five parts, namely:
Parte I - Introdução (Introduction), Parte II - Dos órgãos da Justiça Eleitoral
(Electoral Justice Bodies), Parte III - Do alistamento (Voters List), Parte IV Das
eleições (Elections), Parte V - Disposições Gerais e Transitórias (General and
Temporary Provisions).
At the time of each election the Higher Electoral Court (TSE) issues new Resolutions,
which are important information sources. These Resolutions update the electoral
process.
The Higher Electoral Court homepage also supplies information on electoral
legislation.
Reference Works
Brasil. Código Eleitoral (1965). Código Eleitoral: Lei n. 4.737, de 15-7-1965,
atualizada pelas Leis n. 9.504, de 30-9-1997 e n. 9.840, de 28-9-1999: acompanhado
de legislação especial sobre: partidos políticos, eleições municipais, inelegibilidades,
responsabilidade de prefeitos e vereadores, Constituição Federal (dispositivos),
multas eleitorais, plebiscito, referendo e iniciativa popular, súmulas do TSE, índices
sistemático e alfabético-remissivo do Código Eleitoral, índice da legislação. 19. ed.
atual. e aum. São Paulo: Saraiva, 2001.395 p.
CÂNDIDO, Joel José. Direito Eleitoral Brasileiro. 9. ed. rev. atual. ampl. São Paulo:
Edipro, 2001.582 p.
CERQUEIRA, Thales Tácito Pontes Luz de Pádua. Direito eleitoral : crimes eleitorais
& processo penal eleitoral : EC 35/02, novas súmulas do STF, leis 10.628/02,
10.732/03, 10.741/03 e 10.792/03, teorias de Zaffaroni da tipicidade conglobante e
da co-culpabilidade (sua incidência no Direito Eleitoral) e suspensão condicional do
processo virtual, projetada, antecipada ou em perspectiva no Direito Eleitoral.
Salvador : JusPODIVM, 2004.313 p. : il.
DIREITO ELEITORAL CONTEMPORÂNEO : doutrina e jurisprudência. Sálvio de
Figueiredo Teixeira, coordenador ; [Nelson Azevedo Jobim ... et al.]. Belo Horizonte:
Del Rey, 2003.568 p. : il.
FERREIRA, Pinto. Código eleitoral comentado. 5.ed. ampl. e atual. São Paulo:
Saraiva, 1998. 532p.
JOBIM, Nelson, PORTO, Walter Costa (org.). Legislação eleitoral no Brasil: do
Século XVI a nossos dias. Brasília: Senado Federal, 1996. 3v.
PORTO, Walter Costa. Dicionário do voto. São Paulo: Giordano, 1995. 390p.
RABELLO Filho, Benjamin Alves. Partidos Políticos no Brasil : doutrina e legislação.
Belo Horizonte: Del Rey, 2001. 282 p.
RIBEIRO, Fávila. Direito eleitoral. 5.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Forense, 1998. 762p.
4.3.8 Environment
Environmental legal protection in Brazil has very old roots, according to Wainer's
statement2 that "the evolution of environmental legislation in Brazil dates back to the
Portuguese rich legislation on the matter, as we were a Portuguese colony until the
beginning of XIX century. [...] Those rules aimed at protecting the Brazilian riches
which supplied the mother country, especially wood, used to foster the commercial
navy."
Starting with the Stockholm conference in 1972, several normative acts were
established aiming to protect the environment.
Brazilian legislation on the matter is rather comprehensive, starting with the Federal
Constitution, encompassing the Criminal and Civil Codes. There is also specific and
supplementary legislation at federal, state and municipal levels.
The site on the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources
(IBAMA) offers the possibility to look for references on legislation on environment
issues.
The National Council on the Environment (CONAMA), an agency subordinated to the
Ministry of the Environment, Water Resources and Legal Amazon (MMA), gives
access in its site to basic legislation on environmental issues:

Act n. 6902, 27, April, 1981, which, among other provisions, provides
for the creation of ecological stations, and areas of environmental
protection and makes further provisions;

Act n. 6938, 31st August, 1981, which provides for the Environment
National Policy, its goals and proceedings (formulation and
implementation mechanisms);

Decree n. 99274, 6 June, 1990, which regulates Act n. 6902, 27 April,
1981, and Act n. 6938, 31 August, 1981, which provides for the creation
of Ecological Stations and Areas of Environmental Protection, and for
the Environment National Policy, respectively;

Decree n. 2120, 13 January, 1997, which rewrites art. 5, 6 10 and 11 of
Decree n. 99274, 6 June, 1990, which regulates Act n. 6902, 27 April,
1981, and Act n. 6938, 31 August, 1981; and

Resolutions published between 1984 and 2000, listed in yearly
sequence, which can only be accessed by its respective number.
Reference Works
ACETI JÚNIOR, Luiz Carlos. Direito ambiental e direito empresarial: textos
jurídicos e jurisprudência selecionada. Rio de janeiro : América Jurídica, 2002. 245
p.
AGUAS : aspectos jurídicos e ambientais. Curitiba: Juruá, 2001. 263 p.
CARVALHO, Carlos Gomes de. Legislação ambiental brasileira: contribuição para
um código nacional do ambiente. LEME :LED, 1999. 2 V.
CONSTANTINO, Carlos Ernani. Delitos Ecológicos : a Lei Ambiental comentada
artigo por artigo: aspectos penais e processuais penais. 2. ed. São Paulo: Atlas, 2002.
266 p.
BITTENCOURT, Sidney. Comentários a nova Lei de Crimes contra o Meio Ambiente
e suas sanções administrativas: Lei 9.605 de fevereiro de 1998. Rio de Janeiro :
TEMAS & IDEIAS, 1999. 185p.
BRASIL. Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente. Resoluções do Conselho Nacional do
Meio Ambiente. Brasília: W.D. Ambiental, 1999. 932p.
BRASIL.Constituição (1988).Constituição federal. Coletânea de legislação de direito
ambiental : Coletânea de legislação de comunicação social, atualizadas até
01.01.2003. Organizadora, Odete Medauar ; obra coletiva de autoria da Editora
Revista dos Tribunais com a coordenação de Giselle de Melo Braga Tapai e com a
colaboração de Ana Paula Alexandre... [et al.]. 2. ed., rev. atual. e ampl. São Paulo :
Revista dos Tribunais, 2003.983 p.
DEEBEIS, Toufic Daher. Elementos de Direito Ambiental brasileiro. São Paulo : Liv.
e Ed. Universitária de Direito, 1999.
FREITAS, Vladimir Passos de. A Constituição Federal e a Efetividade das Normas
Ambientais. 2. ed. São Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais, 2002. 248 p.
JUNGSTEDT, Luiz Oliveira Castro (org.). Direito ambiental: legislação. Rio de
Janeiro: Thex, 1999. 787p.
LEGISLAÇÃO DO MEIO AMBIENTE. São Paulo: LTR,1999. 496p. (LTR
BIBLIOTECA BASICA).
MAGALHÃES, Juraci Perez. A Evolução do Direito Ambiental no Brasil. 2. ed., aum.
São Paulo: J. Oliveira, 2002.76 p.
SILVA, Pedro Paulo de Lima e et al. (Org.). Dicionário brasileiro de Ciências
Ambientais. Rio de Janeiro: Thex, 1999. 247p.
SOUSA, Gaspar Alexandre Machado de. Crimes ambientais : responsabilidade penal
das pessoas jurídicas. [Revisão: Cléssia Poliana Rocha, Michele Andrade de
Echegaray]. --Goiânia : AB, 2003.185 p.
WAINER, Ann Helen. Legislação ambiental brasileira: subsídios para a história do
Direito Ambiental. 2.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Forense, 1999.
4.3.9 Mercosur
The legal framework of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) includes the
Asuncion Treaty (1991), Brasilia Protocol for the Settlement of Disputes (1991),
Protocol for the Cooperation and Legal assistance in Civil, Commercial, Labor and
Administrative issues (Las Leñas, 1992), Buenos Aires Protocol on International
Jurisdiction over Contractual Matters, Ouro Preto Protocol (1994), and the
Agreement on Commercial Arbitration.
The homepage on the Ministry of Foreign Relations (MRE) offers a link to Mercosur.
Mercosur database provides all fundamental legal texts and decisions by the the
Common Market Council (CMC), resolutions by the Common Market Group (GMC)
and guidelines issued by the Mercosur Market Trade Commission.
Reference Works
ALMEIDA, José Gabriel Assis de. Mercosul : manual de direito da integração. Rio de
Janeiro: Lumen Juris, 2001.215 p.
BAPTISTA, Luiz Olavo. O Mercosul, suas instituições e ordenamento jurídico. São
Paulo: LTr, 1998. 272p. ISBN 85-7322-374-X
GARCIA JUNIOR, Armando Álvares. Guia prático do Mercosul para profissionais de
Direito. São Paulo: LTr, 1999. 134p. ISBN 85-7322-641-2
PERES, Eliane Lamarca Simões. O Preço de Transferência e a Harmonização
Tributária no Mercosul. Rio de Janeiro: Lumen Juris, 2002.195 p.
SANTOS, Antônio Carlos Viana. Mercosul : espaços de integração, soberania,
jurisdição, harmonização, cidadania, Tribunal de Justiça supranacional do Mercosul,
Parlamento do Mercosul. São Paulo : J. de Oliveira, 2001.230 p.
SILVA, Hebe Teixeira Romano Pereira da. O que o Brasil precisa saber sobre o
Mercosul. Brasília: Brasília Jurídica, 1999. 335p.
SOARES, Mário Lúcio Quintão. Mercosul, direitos humanos, globalização e
soberania. 2. Ed. rev. atual. e ampl. Belo Horizonte: Del Rey, 1999. 224p.
4.3.10 Social Security
The basic legislation ruling the Social Security System in Brazil encompasses:
Act n. 8212, 27 July, 1991 (consolidated and published in the Federal Official Gazette
dated 14 August, 1998), which provides for the Social Welfare organization and
establishes the Plan of Outlays, with due amendments and Presidential Provisional
Measures, published later; Act n. 8213, 24 July, 1991, (consolidated and published in
the Federal Official Gazette, 14 August, 1998), which provides for the Social Security
Benefits Plan, with amendments by means of Acts and Presidential Provisional
Measures published later, the Social Security Regulation, established by Decree n.
3048, 6 May, 1999.
It is still worth noting that Constitutional Amendment n. 20, 15 December, 1998, has
established new rules for future retirement of Social Security beneficiaries, including
government employees.
SISLEX - Social Security System Legislation, previous court rulings and Opinions
(Sistema de Legislação, Jurisprudência e Pareceres da Previdência e Assistência
Social), elaborated by the Ministry of Social Security (MPAS), provides data on
legislation, former court rulings and Opinions on Social Security. This page offers,
among others, Acts, decrees, directives, implementing orders, legal digests and
former court rulings by the Higher Courts, opinions and articles collected by several
Brazilian Public Social Security agencies.
Reference Works
BRASIL. LEIS ETC. Legislação previdenciária: Leis n. 8.212, custeio e 8.213,
benefícios, de 24 de julho de 1991. Porto Alegre: S. A. FABRIS: ANPREV, 2000.
BRASIL. LEIS ETC. Consolidação da legislação previdenciária: regulamento e
legislação complementar: plano de custeio, lei n. 8.212/91, consolidada em 11-4-96, e
leis atualizadoras, plano de benefícios, lei n. 8.213/91, consolidada em 11-4-96 e leis
atualizadoras, decretos ns. 2.173 e 2.172, de 5-3-97. Organizada por Aristeu de
Oliveira. 8. ed. São Paulo: Atlas, 1999. 927p.
CASTRO, Carlos Alberto Pereira de. Manual de Direito Previdenciário: atualizado de
acordo com as Leis: 9.983, de 14.7.00 (crimes contra a seguridade social), 10.035, de
25.10.00 (execução das contribuições à seguridade social perante a Justiça do
Trabalho), 10.170, de 29.12.00 (custeio da seguridade social). São Paulo: LTr,
2001.597 p.
CUNHA, Lasaro Cândido da. Reforma da Previdência: Noções gerais do Sistema
Previdenciário brasileiro e comentários a Emenda Constitucional n. 20, promulgada
em 15 de dezembro de 1998, publicada no Diário Oficial de 16.12.98. Belo Horizonte:
Del Rey, 1999. 128p.
FELIPE, Jorge Franklin Alves. Previdência Social na prática forense. 8. ed. rev. e
atual. Rio de Janeiro: Forense, 1999. 386 p.
JULIÃO, Pedro Augusto Musa. Curso Básico de Direito Previdenciário. 2. tiragem.
Rio de Janeiro: Forense, 2002.217 p.
LEGISLAÇÃO PREVIDENCIARIA. Org. notas e revisão por Iara P. Fontoura, Emílio
Sabatovski. 3. ed., 2. tiragem. Curitiba: Juruá, 1999. 514p. ISBN 85-7394-116-2
MARTINEZ, Wladimir Novaes. Reforma da Previdência Social: comentários a
Emenda Constitucional n. 20-98. São Paulo: LTR, 1999. 246p.
MARTINS, Sérgio Pinto. Direito da seguridade social: custeio da seguridade social,
benefícios, acidente de transito, assistência social, saúde. 10. ed. São Paulo : Atlas,
1999. 450p. ISBN 85-224-2074-2
PAIXÃO, FLORICENO. A previdência social em perguntas e respostas. 36. ed. Porto
Alegre: Síntese,1999. 992p. ISBN 85-7131-070-X
REIS, Heraldo da Costa. Contabilidade previdenciária. Rio de Janeiro : IBAM :
2002.
SOUZA, Leny Xavier de Brito E. Previdência Social: normas e cálculos de benefícios.
4. ed. atual. São Paulo: LTR, 1999. 149p. ISBN 85-7322-607-2
TAVARES, Marcelo Leonardo. Direito Previdenciário. 3. ed., 2. tir. Rio de Janeiro:
Lumen Juris, 2002.455 p.
4.3.11 Radio Broadcasting
Decree n. 52795, 31ST. October, 1963, which approved radio broadcasting services, is
the fundamental text on the matter, together with Decree n. 2615, June 3, 1998,
which ruled on community radio broadcasting services. Created by Act n. 9612, 19
February, 1998.
On the Ministry of Communications' homepage you can have access to legislation on
this issue.
Likewise, the National Communications Agency's homepage (ANATEL) displays
legislation on the subject.
Reference Works
ALMEIDA, André Mendes. Mídia eletrônica: seu controle nos EUA e no Brasil. 2.e.d.
Rio de Janeiro: Forense, 2001. 181. il.
PIMENTA, Eduardo S. Direito conexo da empresa de radiodifusão e assuntos
correlatos. São Paulo: Lejus, 1999. 440 p.
TAVARES, Reynaldo C. Histórias que o rádio não contou: do galena ao digital,
desvendando a radiodifusão no Brasil e no mundo. 2. Ed. São Paulo: Harbra, 1999.
309 p.: il., Retrs. + CD-ROM.
4.3.12 Land Reform
The first efforts to structure Agrarian Law in Brazil date back to 1914, however, only
much later, in 1965, was the Land Statute established by Act n. 4504, 30 November,
1965. This text is still the basic piece of legislation on Land Reform.
The National Institute of Settlement and Land Reform (INCRA) offers texts of
legislation in this area, with searches by type of ruling and data in chronological
order.
Reference Works
BARROS, Wellington Pacheco. Curso de Direito Agrário .4. ed. rev. e ampl. Porto
Alegre: Livr. do Advogado, 2002.
LARANJEIRA, Raymundo (coord.). Direito agrário brasileiro. São Paulo: LTr, 1999.
829p. ISBN 85-7322-708-7
LINHARES, Maria Yedda Leite. Terra prometida: uma história da questão agrária no
Brasil. Rio de Janeiro : Campus, 1999. 211p. ISBN 85-352-0375-5
MARQUES, Benedito Ferreira. Direito agrário brasileiro. 2.ed. rev. e atual. Goiânia:
AB, 1998. 292p. ISBN 85-86000-36-1
PILLETI, Nelson, MOSOLINO, Ivone. A questão da terra no Brasil. Caxias do Sul:
Maneco Liv. & Ed., 1999. 112p.
PROENÇA, Alencar Mello. Direito agrário. Porto Alegre: Síntese, 1999. 406p. ISBN
85-7131-039-4
SCHIMIDT, Benício Viero, MARINHO, Danilo Nolasco C., ROSA, Sueli L. Couto
(org.). Os assentamentos de reforma agrária no Brasil. Brasília: Editora da
Universidade de Brasília, 1998. ISBN 85-230-0517-X
4.3.13 Telecommunications
For the last six years, the Brazilian sector of telecommunications has been
undergoing a restructuring process, and its entire regulatory framework was
considered and amended. Pires3 has identified six stages in this process:

Constitutional Amendment n. 8, 15 August, 1995, which eliminated the
exclusivity of concession of charters for public services to government
controlled companies; this decision resulted in a set of legislative
measures aiming at introducing the free competition regime in the area
of services concessions;

the Emergency Telecommunications Basic Act (Act n. 9.295, 19 July,
1996), provided for the establishment of criteria to concession of
services charters, most of which were not yet being handled by private
companies and were economically interesting, like "cell phone service",
"trunking services", "satellite services" and "value added services"
(paging and others which allow for the setting up of corporate
networks); such Act was extremely important in that it established the
legal conditions for public bid of charters for B Band cell phone
services;

The Telecommunications General Act (LGT), Act n. 9472, 16 July, 1997,
which, among others, defined the principles for the new institutional
model of the area, created ANATEL (National Telecommunications
Agency) and determined its role, established the guidelines of its tariff
system, a new classification for telecommunication services (according
to the interest by potential bidders and exploitation regime), the non
exclusivity of service concessions and, finally, the guidelines to model
and divestiture of state owned companies;

The Service Concession General Plan (PGO), Decree n. 2.534, 2 April,
1998, which set forth general parameters for establishing economic
competition in the sector, by defining the working areas of the
companies handling fixed telephone services and defining the basic
rules for an open market and future authorizations for services
operation;

The comprehensive restructuring of the Telebrás System (historically,
Telebrás' subsidiaries were granted charters to handle local services including fixed and mobile telephone -, while Embratel controlled the
segment of long distance and international calls); this state owned
company was divided into three great holdings with charters for fixed
telephone local services in order to attend to the needs of different
geographic regions as defined by PGO (Telesp, Tele Note-Leste e Tele
Centro-Sul); Embratel´s traditional profile was maintained and eight
new chartered companies for Band A cell phone services were created
to operate the services until then supplied by Telebrás subsidiary
companies; and

The public bid to authorize the operation of mirror-companies in the
same working areas of the chartered companies for fixed telephone
services resulting from the divestiture of Telebras System, due to the
legal determination of non exclusivity of those concessions.
Homepages for both the Ministry of Communications and the National
Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) offer the full text of all mentioned legislation
and other legislative acts regarding the telecommunications sector.
Reference Works
AZULAY NETO, Messod, LIMA, Antônio Roberto Pires de. O novo cenário das
telecomunicações no direito brasileiro. Rio de Janeiro :Lumen Juris, 2000. 517p.
CELLI JUNIOR, Umberto. A nova organização dos serviços na Lei Geral de
Telecomunicações. Revista de Direito Administrativo
(http://editoras.com/renovar/), Rio de Janeiro, n. 211, p. 151-161, jan./mar. 1998.
COLETÂNEA DE LEGISLAÇÃO DE COMUNICAÇÃO SOCIAL. São Paulo: Revista
dos Tribunais, 2001.859 p.
ESCOBAR, João Carlos Mariense. O novo direito de telecomunicações. Porto alegre:
Livr. do Advogado, 1999. 250 p.
LIMA JUNIOR, Almir Wirth.Telecomunicações Modernas : curso básico /2. ed.
ampl. -- Rio de Janeiro: Book Express, 2001.290 p.: il
4.3.14 Traffic
The oldest Brazilian traffic legal instrument dates back to 1910. Later on further
legislation was enacted. The first Traffic Code was established in 1941. It was replaced
in 1966 by the new National Traffic Code (CNT), established by Act n. 5108, 1966. In
the following year this Code was substantially altered by Decree-Law n. 237, 1967.
In 1973 and 1991 special Committees were created to study and propose a bill for a
new Traffic Code. In 1993, the Executive Branch filed in the National Congress Bill n.
3710, 1993, which resulted in the Code in force at the time.
The Brazilian Traffic Code established by Act n. 9503, 23 September, 1997 is in force
nowadays. It was amended by Act n. 9602, 21 January, 1998 and Act n. 9792, 14
April, 1999. It is regulated by Directives issued by the National Traffic Department
(DENATRAN), resolutions, decisions and minutes of meetings held by the National
Traffic Council (CONTRAN).
The site featuring the Brazilian Association of Traffic Departments unites all Brazilian
agencies in this area and supplies information on traffic legislation, on administrative
directives by DENATRAN, resolutions, decisions and minutes from meetings held by
CONTRAN, the National Traffic Code, statistical data on traffic accidents, fleet, public
bids, fees, services, etc.
Reference Works
ALMEIDA SOBRINHO, José. Código de Trânsito Brasileiro anotado : Lei n. 9.503,
de 23 de setembro de 1997, Lei n. 9.602, de 21 de janeiro de 1998, Lei n. 9.792, de 14
de abril de 1999, Convenção de Viena e Resoluções do CONTRAN. 4. ed. Campinas:
Jurídica Mizuno, 2001.755 p.
BRASIL. CODIGO DE TRANSITO BRASILEIRO (1997). Nova coletânea de
legislação de trânsito. 16 ed. atual. até 11 de janeiro de 1999. Porto Alegre : Sagra
Luzzatto, 1999. 676p. ISBN 85-241-0328-0
BRASIL. CODIGO DE TRANSITO BRASILEIRO (1997). Código de trânsito brasileiro
: Lei n. 9.503, de 23 de setembro de 1997, modificada pelas Leis n. 9.602, de 21 de
janeiro de 1998, e 9.792, de 14 de abril de 1999 : legislação complementar, Resoluções
do CONTRAN até 111/2000, índice alfabético-remissivo do Código de Trânsito
Brasileiro. 3. ed. atual. e ampl. São Paulo: Saraiva: 2000. 888p. ISBN 85-020-2610-0
HONORATO, Cássio Mattos. Trânsito infrações e crimes: comentários às normas
administrativas e aos crimes de trânsito introduzidos pelo Código de Trânsito
Brasileiro Lei nº 9.503/97. Campinas : Millennium, 2000. 604p. ISBN 85-868-33231.
MONTEIRO, Ruy Carlos de Barros. Crimes de trânsito e a aplicação da Lei n. 9.099,
de 26.9.1995, e a responsabilidade civil. São Paulo: J. de Oliveira, 1999. 329p.
NOGUEIRA, Fernando Célio de Brito. Crimes do Código de Trânsito : de acordo com
a Lei federal n. 9.503, de 23 de setembro de 1997: comentários, jurisprudência e
legislação. São Paulo: Atlas, 1999. 218p. ISBN 85-224-2088-2
PINHEIRO, Geraldo de Faria Lemos, RIBEIRO, Dorival. Código de Trânsito
Brasileiro interpretado. São Paulo : J. Oliveira, 2000. 496p. ISBN 85-7453-140-5
RIZZARDO, Arnaldo.A Reparação nos Acidentes de Trânsito : Lei 9.503, de
23.09.1997. 9. ed. rev., atual. e ampl. São Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais, 2002.366 p.
SWENSSON, Walter Cruz. Manual de Procedimentos e Prática de Trânsito : de
acordo com o Código de Trânsito Brasileiro, aprovado pela Lei n. 9.503, de 23-9-1997
/2. ed. atual. e aum. -- São Paulo: J. de Oliveira, 2002.235 p.
4.3.15 Taxation
The Brazilian taxation system had its guidelines established in the Federal
Constitution, articles 145 to 162. According to the Constitution, the Union, States,
Municipalities, and the Federal District have competence, either exclusive or
concurrent, to institute taxes.
The Union has the power to institute and collect taxes on: importation of foreign
products; exportation of national products; income and earnings of any nature,
industrial products, rural property, credit, foreign exchange and insurance
transactions or transactions relating to bonds or securities, and on large fortunes.
States and the Federal District have the competence to institute and collect taxes on:
descent or donation of any property or rights, transactions relating to the circulation
of goods and to the operation of interstate and inter-municipal transportation
services and communication services (ICMS) and on ownership of motorized vehicles
(IPVA).
Municipalities have the competence to institute and collect taxes on: urban buildings
and urban land property (IPTU), inter vivos property transfer (ITBI) and services of
any nature (ISS).
According to the Federal Constitution (art. 154), only the Union has exclusive
competence to institute new taxes. Access to the basic legislation on taxation can be
found in the site belonging to the Secretariat of Federal Revenue, using the link
Legislação Tributária e Aduaneira. Search is either by subject or type of norm.
Reference Works
BRASIL. CÓDIGO TRIBUTÁRIO NACIONAL (1966). Código Tributário Nacional :
Lei n. 5.172, de 25-10-1966, atualizada e acompanhada de legislação complementar,
súmulas e índices sistemático e alfabético-remissivo do Código Tributário Nacional,
cronológicos da legislação e alfabético da legislação complementar e das súmulas. 31.
ed. São Paulo: Saraiva, 2002.1034 p.
BRASIL.CÓDIGO TRIBUTÁRIO NACIONAL (1966). Código Tributário Nacional :
atualizado até 31.12.2001. 7. ed. rev., atual. e ampl. São Paulo: Revista dos Tribunais,
2002.857 p.
BALEEIRO, ALIOMAR. Direito Tributário Brasileiro. 11. ed. rev. e complementada,
a luz da Constituição de 1988, ate a Emenda Constitucional n. 10-96. 6. tiragem. Rio
de Janeiro: Forense, 2000. 1063p. ISBN 85-309-0506-7
BRASIL. CÓDIGO TRIBUTÁRIO NACIONAL. Código tributário nacional. 29. Ed.
São Paulo: Saraiva, 2000. 914p. ISBN 85-02-02208-3
COELHO, Sacha Calmon Navarro. Curso de Direito Tributário brasileiro. Rio de
Janeiro: Forense, 2000. 801 p. ISBN 85-309-0710-8
COELHO, Sacha Calmon Navarro. Manual de direito tributário. Rio de Janeiro:
Forense, 2000. 542p. ISBN 85-309-1065-6
LACOMBE, Américo Lourenço Masset. Princípios constitucionais tributários. 2.ed.
São Paulo: Malheiros, 2000. 226p. ISBN 8574202231
MARTINS, Ives Gandra da Silva (coord). Curso de Direito Tributário. 7.ed. São
Paulo: Saraiva, 2000. 822 p. ISBN 8502030493.
5 BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES AND CITATIONS
5.1 Bibliographic References
NBR 6023 issued by the Brazilian Association of Technical Norms (ABNT) is the
standard adopted for the elaboration of bibliographic references.
The following are examples of bibliographic references by type of material. The order
of elements necessary to identify the materials is between brackets.
5.1.1 Bibliographic References for Books
[SURNAME, Name. Title of the book. Edition number. Place: Editor, date. n of pages.
ISBN]
PROENÇA, Alencar Mello. Direito agrário. Porto Alegre: Síntese, 1999. 406p. ISBN
85-7131-039-4
5.1.2 Bibliographic References for Articles in Periodicals
[SURNAME, Name. Title of the article. Title of the Periodical, place of publication,
volume, number, first and last pages of the article, month or season of the year ,
year.]
MARTINS FILHO, Ives Gandra da Silva. Consolidação da legislação federal. Revista
do Ministério Público do Trabalho, São Paulo, v. 8, n. 16, p. 86-97, set. 1998.
5.1.3 Bibliographic References for Joint Decisions, Judgments and
Sentences by Courts or Tribunals
[PLACE (name of the Court or Tribunal). Type and number of appeal. Disputing
parties. Rapporteur: Mr. So-and-So. Date of Joint Decision (if any) Source of
Decision, Judgement or Sentence Publication. Majority opinion and dissenting
opinion.]
BRASIL. Supremo Tribunal Federal. Deferimento de Pedido de Extradição.
Extradição nº 410. Estados Unidos da América e José Antônio Fernandez. Relator:
Ministro Rafael Mayer. 21 de março de 1984. Revista Trimestral de Jurisprudência,
Brasília, v. 109, n. 3, p. 870-879, set. 1984.
5.1.4 Bibliographic References for Codes
[PLACE (country, state or town). Standardized code name and (date). Title of the
Publication: further information from covering page. Name of organizer or
collaborators. Edition number. Place: Editor, date. Number of pages. ISBN
BRASIL. Código eleitoral (1965). Código eleitoral anotado: Lei n. 4.737, de 15-7-1965,
atualizado pelas Leis n. 9.504, de 30-09-1997 e n. 9.840, de 28-09-1999. Organizado
por: Antônio Luiz de Toledo Pinto, Márcia Cristina de Siqueira. 18.ed. São Paulo:
Saraiva, 2000. 307p. ISBN 8502023284.
5.1.5 Bibliographic References for Laws, Decrees, Directives, etc.
[PLACE (country, state or town). Title (type of instrument, n. and date). Abstract.
Indication of the official gazette).
BRASIL. Decreto-Lei nº 2.423, de 7 de abril de 1988. Estabelece critérios para
pagamento de gratificações e vantagens pecuniárias aos titulares de cargos e
empregos da Administração Federal direta e autárquica e dá outras providências.
Diário Oficial da União, Brasília, v. 126, n. 66, p.6009. Seção 1.
5.2 Citations and Quotations
Quotations must comply with standard NBR 10520 of ABNT (Brazilian Association of
Technical Standards).
If quotation is no longer than three lines it must be inserted within the running text;
longer quotations are set off from the text by being indented both right and left.
All data necessary to identify the publication from which quoted matter within the
text, an idea paraphrased, etc. was taken, must be listed. Such citations can be
inserted within the text or appended as a note at the foot of the page, or at the end of
the complete text.
5.2.1 Citation Format Rules
Citation sentences may comply either with the numeric references method or first
element-date method. According to the numeric references method, superscript,
parenthetical or bracketed numerals, inserted at the end of the quotation, refer to
documents in the order in which they are first cited. Subsequent citations of a
particular document receive the same number as the first. For example:
Diz Rui Barbosa: "Tudo é viver, previvendo ...15
Diz Rui Barbosa: "Tudo é viver, previvendo..." (15)
Diz Rui Barbosa: "Tudo é viver, previvendo ... [15]
According to the first element-date method, the first element (author's surname,
institution or entry title) and year of publication of the document cited are given in
the text; the year follows in parentheses, but if not, both the first element and year are
given in parentheses. If necessary, page numbers may be given after the year within
parentheses, set off by commas. For example:
Num estudo recente (Barbosa, 1998) é exposto...
Segundo Morais (1995, p.153) assinala, " a presença dos pais assegura ..."
A multiplicidade de leis atinge proporções ... (Oliveira & Leonardos, 2000, p.146).
5.2.2 Examples
5.2.2.1 Citation of the Federal Constitution
As already mentioned and besides the careful discipline of the legislative process the
current Constitution also cites briefly code bills. However, in what regards the
process or procedure of amalgamation, the Constitution only mentions, in art. 59,
sole paragraph, the need to prepare supplementary legislation to deal with
amalgamation of all amendments to original instruments. Literally:
"Art. 59 ......
(...)
Sole Paragraph. Supplementary legislation shall provide for the preparation, drafting,
amendment and amalgamation of legal instruments."
5.2.2.2 Code Citation
Finally, and as it should be, the legal instrument concerning adoption was regulated
by 1916 Civil Code (Act n. 3071, 1 January, 1916).
5.2.2.3 Legal Citation
The theme adoption is regulated by Act n. 8069, 13 July, 1990, in articles 39 to 52;
this rule establishes the Child and Adolescent Statute. Articles 42 to 46 deal with the
theme in a generic form and paragraph 2 of art. 46 provides on adoption by
foreigners.
From 1967 onwards, the Federal Government was legally allowed to hire public
servants according to the standards of Consolidation of Labor Laws side by side with
statutory servants. This regime duplicity was provided for in the Constitution of
January 24, 1967, pursuant to art. 104, verbis:
"Art. 104. The Labor Legislation is applied to public servants hired temporarily for
civil works or for technical or specialized jobs."
Still regarding this issue, Act n. 8974, 5 January, 1995, known as Act on Biosafety,
was the first step in the process of regulating, nationwide, the use of genetic
engineering and liberalization of genetically altered organisms.
5.2.2.4 Citation Sentences from Books or Periodicals
Ivan Barbosa Rigolin (1992, p.364), in his "Comments on the Unified Regime of
Public Servants" openly shows his revolt:
"Art. 243, the lowest point attained by the legislator in this Act n. 8112 [Act n.
8112/90] , against the Constitution principles, has simply changed jobs, performed
by tenured servants into statutory jobs."
Masso Garrote, in his massive article "Aspectos politicos y constitucionales sobre la
participación electoral de los extranjeros en el Estado nacional", states:
"The foreigner within a community is not entitled to the protection of gods nor can he
invoke or worship them, nor even can he, at the service of the community, take part
in its institutions, be equal to its citizens, be entitled to citizens rights. He is reckoned
a negation to the capacity of representing the town or the empire and therefore, the
foreigner can only be regarded as a disabled person."
6 ABBREVIATIONS AND POPULAR NAMES OF LEGAL RULES
Some legal rules become known and are referred to by their abbreviation or specific
name. The first chart contains legal rules which are also known by their abbreviation.
The second one shows those legal rules known by their popular names.
Abbreviations and Popular Names of Legal Rules
Abbreviation
Full name in Portuguese
Full name in English
CC
Código Civil
Civil Code
CF
Constituição Federal
Federal Constitution
CLT
Consolidação das Leis do
Trabalho
Consolidated Labor Laws
CPC
Código de Processo Civil
Code of Civil Procedure
CTN
Código Tributário
Nacional
National Revenue and
Taxation Code
ECA
Estatuto da Criança e do
Adolescente
Child and Adolescent
Statute
LADIN
Lei da Ação Direta de
Inconstitucionalidade
Direct Action of
Unconstitutionality Act
LCP
Lei das Contravenções
Penais
Criminal Misdemeanors
Act
LDB
Lei de Diretrizes e Bases
da Educação
Education Guidelines and
Framework Act
LDO
Lei de Diretrizes
Orçamentárias
Budgetary Directives Act
LEF
Lei de Execuções Fiscais
Tax Foreclosure Act
LICC
Lei de Introdução ao
Código Civil
Civil Code Introduction
Act
Popular Name
Afonso Arinos Act
Legal Rule Number
Act no. 1,390, of July 3, 1951
Darcy Ribeiro Act
Act no. 9,394, of December 20,
1996
Corporation Act or S.A. Act
Act no. 6,404, of December 15,
1976
Amnesty Act
Act no. 6,683, of August 28, 1979
Press Act
Act no. 5,250, of February 9, 1967
Informatics Act
Act no. 7,232, of October 29, 1984
National Security Act
Act no. 7,170, of December 14, 1983
Software Act
Act no. 7,646, of December 18,
1987
Foreigners Act
Act no. 6,815, of 1980
Etelvino Lins Act
Act no. 6.091, of August 15, 1974
Falcão Act
Act no. 6,339, of July 1, 1976
Fleury Act
Act no. 5,941, of November 22,
1973
Kandir Act
Supplementary Act no. 87, of
September 13, 1996
Sarney Act
Act no. 7,505, of July 2, 1986
7 TRANSLATED BRAZILIAN LAW
The language barrier is one of the biggest difficulties for a foreign law librarian in
doing research in Brazilian legislation. Most websites provide information in
Portuguese only. Sometimes, part of the access menu is shown in a foreign language,
generally in English. After this barrier is overcome, another one presents itself, and
this one is almost insurmountable: virtually every document retrieved is in
Portuguese. To assist the task of foreign legal librarians, INFOLEGIS compiles texts
of Brazilian legal rules translated into English, French, and Spanish. These texts are
not official translations.