Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to establish a Panel of Attorneys for the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality to provide a wide range of legal services over a period of three years. The services include legal support in litigation and non-litigious matters, drafting and vetting contracts, conveyancing, legal opinions, forensic reports, and other legal assistance as required. The municipality aims to appoint qualified law firms to ensure ongoing legal support and advice in various legal areas relevant to municipal operations.

Scope

The scope of work encompasses providing legal services across multiple categories, including:

• Municipal litigation in courts and arbitration forums
• Supply chain management legal matters and bid appeal representation
• Drafting, vetting, and reviewing commercial contracts such as lease and joint venture agreements
• Conveyancing services including property transfers and related property law matters
• Labour law services including conciliations, arbitrations, and court matters
• Legal support on municipal by-laws, demolition orders, interdicts, and related litigation
• Preparation of legal opinions and forensic reports
• Provision of legal assistance in other non-specified legal areas as needed

The appointed law firms will receive instructions on an ad-hoc basis, and the services will be delivered over the three-year contract period, without guaranteed quantum of work.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for bidders include:

• Demonstrated experience in legal services relevant to municipal law, with at least 50 signed instruction/appointment letters in the past six years relating to government legal services
• Experience of the most senior professional(s) in relevant legal categories, supported by company profile, CVs, and certified copies of admission certificates (foreign qualifications verified by SAQA)
• Capacity and capability to carry out disbursements, with a minimum of R20,000 per matter, supported by affidavits from partners/directors
• Provision of legal opinions, forensic reports, and legal support in various legal disciplines
• Compliance with minimum requirements such as registration with the relevant Legal Practise Council, and submission of all necessary legal and financial documentation
• Adherence to the functionality threshold of 60 out of 100 points for evaluation

Skills Requirements

The skills and qualifications required from bidders include:

• Admitted attorneys with relevant specialization in areas such as litigation, supply chain management, commercial law, conveyancing, labour law, town planning, environmental law, and debt collection
• Proven experience in municipal legal matters, including representation in courts, tribunals, and arbitration
• Ability to draft, review, and vet a wide range of legal documents and contracts
• Capability to provide legal opinions and forensic reports with the capacity to testify in court if necessary
• Strong capacity to handle multiple legal matters simultaneously, supported by a qualified team of professionals and support staff
• Membership and good standing with the relevant Legal Practise Council
• Experience in managing disbursements and legal costs efficiently