Adv. Craig Burton-Durham

Craig is the Founder and Managing Director of Durham & Associates. He brings to the team 20 years of medical scheme regulatory experience, following his remarkable contribution as the Executive General Manager of Legal Services at the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). With his in-depth understanding of the Medical Schemes Act, its interpretation as well as the enforcement by the Regulator, Craig is in a strategic and unique position to assist medical schemes in mitigating and navigating existing and potential risks, associated with the rigorous standards of regulatory compliance.

Craig also served in several regulatory authorities ranging from the prosecution service in the Department of Justice through to the South African Patents and Trademarks Office.

He also had exposure in the international space - in Africa, Europe, and the United States, where he interacted extensively with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a specialised agency of the United Nations during his tenure as both Deputy and Acting Registrar of the Patent Office. His involvement in representing South Africa as a member of the Africa Group at the time, amongst others required him to engage with fellow regulatory authorities and stakeholders in the intellectual property law field on the African Continent.

Craig served as a member of the Legal Technical Committee (LTC) of the Committee for Insurance Securities and non-Banking Authorities (CISNA). CISNA was established in 1998 and is part of the Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment Directorate of SADC and reports to the SADC Committee of Ministers of Finance and Investment through the Committee of Senior Treasury Officials. Part of the CISNA mandate is to ensure harmonisation of the various laws relating to finance, insurance, and banking in SADC countries, in accordance with best international practice. The LTC was actively engaged in the drafting of the model laws relating to this project.

Specialisation:

• Advice on medical scheme related matters, including matters of a general legal and strategic nature.

• Mediating and negotiating in the resolution of disputes.

• Training of Trustees and other office bearers on various matters of a legal, compliance and regulatory nature.

• Compliance audits on Corporate Governance in accordance with the King Reports and furnishing advice on corporate governance requirements.

• Furnishing advice and assistance on regulatory and administrative law related matters, particularly where regulated entities and disputes are concerned.

• Advising regulators and other entities in the Southern African Development Community (SADC region).

• Drafting legislation for regulators in SADC countries.

• Representing South African based clients in discussions with counterparts and regulators in the SADC region.

Qualifications & certifications:

• B Juris LLB (UNISA) and admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.

• Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) UK: Accredited Mediator.

• Accreditation Training Services: Accredited moderator and accredited facilitator.

• Member of the Institute of Directors (IOD).