Shanae Durman

Shanae Durman is a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution Department at Bowmans in Johannesburg, specialising in aviation law, aviation insurance, and dispute resolution. She advises local and international aviation insurers and reinsurers on coverage, third-party claims, and subrogated recoveries, and regularly represents airport operators, general aviation clients, and their liability and hull insurers in disputes involving aircraft, property damage, and personal injury.

Shanae has represented a local hot air balloon operator and its liability insurer in relation to a 2016 accident involving South African and UK-based claimants; a local airline and its liability insurers in respect of an aircraft accident on Mafia Island, Tanzania; an aircraft maintenance organisation and its liability insurers in respect of a loss involving engine maintenance performed at Wilson Airport, Nairobi; and an airport operator and its liability insurers in respect of theft at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. She has also pursued subrogated recoveries on behalf of London-based hull insurers, advised foreign airlines on the impact of COVID-19 regulations on operations to South Africa, and assisted a major UK-based airline in defending claims under EU Flight Compensation Regulation.

Shanae holds an LL.B (cum laude) and an LL.M in International Air, Space, and Telecommunications Law (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria. She is admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

She has been ranked as a Leading Associate for Shipping and Transport by The Legal 500 (2025–2026).