Legal Practitioner

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 827,000 - 2,066,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote or hybrid work

Flexible working hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Legal Practitioner for a contract role based in Paarl, Western Cape. You will review contracts, advise on regulatory compliance in the agricultural sector, and help resolve disputes with external counsel as needed.

You should be admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, bring at least five years of corporate/commercial law experience, and be able to work independently with strong drafting and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with 5+ years of corporate or commercial law experience.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and analytical skills with practical, commercially sound advice.
• Experience with contract law and compliance in the agricultural sector is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate contracts related to supply chain and operational agreements.
• Advise on compliance with agricultural legislation, environment and food safety standards.
• Assist in disputes and litigation management with external counsel when needed.
• Conduct legal research on issues affecting the agricultural industry.
• Maintain corporate secretarial duties and statutory registers.
• Provide general legal advice to management and teams.
• Ensure adherence to labor laws and employment-related matters.
• Review property-related transactions and leases.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal research

Communication

Stakeholder management

Independent workload management

Education

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and growing company specializing in agricultural services, requires a skilled Legal Practitioner to provide essential legal support on a contractual basis. This role will involve handling a variety of legal matters, with a focus on contract review, regulatory compliance within the agricultural sector, and dispute resolution. The Legal Practitioner will play a key role in safeguarding the company's interests and ensuring smooth operations within its specialized field. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced legal professional looking for a flexible engagement in the heart of the Winelands, Paarl, Western Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts related to supply chain, land use, and operational agreements specific to the agricultural sector.
• Advise on compliance with relevant agricultural legislation, environmental regulations, and food safety standards.
• Assist in resolving disputes and managing litigation, working effectively with external counsel when needed.
• Conduct legal research on specific issues affecting the agricultural industry.
• Manage corporate secretarial duties, including maintaining statutory registers and ensuring compliance with Companies Act requirements.
• Provide general legal advice to management and operational teams.
• Ensure adherence to labor laws and assist with employment-related legal matters.
• Review and advise on property-related transactions and lease agreements.
• Maintain an up-to‑date understanding of legal developments impacting the agricultural sector.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience in corporate or commercial law.
• Strong understanding of contract law and its application in commercial contexts.
• Familiarity with legislation and regulations pertinent to the agricultural industry (e.g., land reform, environmental impact assessments) is highly desirable.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to provide practical and commercially sound legal advice.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to work effectively with non-legal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in legal research and standard office software.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workload independently and meet deadlines.
• Previous experience as a contractor or consultant is advantageous.

Benefits

• This is a contract position offering a competitive daily or hourly rate, commensurate with experience and expertise.
• The role provides significant flexibility in terms of working hours and location, allowing for remote or hybrid arrangements.
• The Legal Practitioner will gain valuable experience working within the unique agricultural sector of the Paarl, Western Cape region.
• This engagement offers the chance to work on diverse legal challenges and contribute directly to the company's strategic objectives.
• While not a permanent employee position, it offers professional autonomy and the opportunity to manage your own workload effectively.