LAW FOUND IN THE STREETS AND ITS RELATION TO SOCIO-TERRITORIAL CONFLICTS
Keywords:
Direito achado na rua, Direito critico, TerritorialidadesAbstract
Brief biography
José Geraldo de Sousa Júnior (Rio de Janeiro, 1947) is a jurist, professor, and researcher recognized for his work in human rights, citizenship, and critical legal theory. He holds a degree in Legal and Social Sciences and a Master’s and PhD in Law from the University of Brasília (UnB). He joined UnB as a faculty member in 1985, became a full professor, and served as Dean of the Law School and as Rector (2008–2012). He also served as Director of Higher Education Policy at Brazil’s Ministry of Education and held administrative positions during Cristovam Buarque’s administration in the Government of the Federal District.
Founder of the project Law Found in the Streets (O Direito Achado na Rua), he consolidated one of Brazil’s most influential legal approaches focused on recognizing rights produced through social struggles and public spaces. With long-standing service on the Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), he stood out in the defense of civil liberties and in the mediation of social conflicts. Author of an extensive scholarly body of work and editor of major editorial series, he was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus of UnB in 2024, in recognition of a career marked by commitment to democracy, justice, and social transformation.
References
SOUSA JÚNIOR, José Geraldo de. Direito como Liberdade: O Direito Achado na Rua: Experiências Populares Emancipatórias de Criação do Direito. 2008. Tese (Doutorado em Direito) – Faculdade de Direito, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 2008.
SOUSA JÚNIOR, José Geraldo de; MOLINA, Mônica Castagna; TOURINHO NETO, Fernando da Costa (Org.). O direito achado na rua: introdução crítica ao direito agrário. v. 3. Brasília: Universidade de Brasília, 1993.
SOUSA JÚNIOR, José Geraldo de et al. (Org.). O direito achado na rua e os caminhos do direito insurgente: ruas, movimentos e horizontes de justiça. v. 9. Rio de Janeiro: Lumen Juris, 2025.
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