“Having worked as a civil engineer for many years, I have always been very focused on problem solving and finding workable and practical end solutions, which readily applies to helping my construction clients facing difficult or dispute situations to navigate to positive commercial conclusions.”

Nathaniel is a well-regarded construction disputes lawyer, focused on helping clients to navigate and resolve construction disputes, with a commercial and practical approach.

His background as a chartered civil engineer, working for a major consultancy for seven years before moving into the law, provides the foundation and context for his legal practice. Nathaniel's work is varied across the construction industry, with particular specialisms in the major projects, private finance, and hotels sectors. He is also experienced in adjudication, mediation, and the commercial court processes in Scotland and England, and works with clients to use those tools within the best resolution strategy.

Areas of practice include:

Sector experience includes:

Admitted

2015: Scotland

Relevant experience

Acting for a FTSE250 contractor in defending legacy defect claims, including fire-protection and pipework claims, in a hospital, with a claim value of circa. £140 million.
Acting for a national facilities manager recovering sums in a payment dispute around the provision of services.
Acting for a roads concessionaire in navigating defects and maintenance disputes in a motorway concession.
Acting for a national contractor in navigating defect disputes in several PFI hospitals where their joint venture partner had gone into liquidation.
Acting for a variety of disputes and variation claims on various PFI schools projects for a facilities manager.
Acting for a national contractor in defending fire compartmentation defects claims in a high-rise residential development in England.
Acting for a developer in an approx £4 million defects and final account dispute with the contractor at a landmark hotel and retail development in Liverpool.
Acting for a biogas and biomass developer, resolving claims and issues with technical providers and contractors.
Acting for a university in navigating and resolving a £3 million final account claim, and issues with their demolition contractor for a significant refurbishment project.
Acting for a contractor client in a series of disputes at adjudication and ultimately mediation, concerning the design and construction of a major flood prevention scheme.
Acting for a local authority navigating and resolving issues and disputes in a road junction contract.
Acting for a FTSE250 client in a significant £8 million claim against a national contractor and designer for widespread cracking and other defects in a global manufacturing facility in Scotland.
Acting for a mechanical and electrical contractor in a payment mechanism dispute for works being undertaken at a nuclear power facility.
Acting for a mechanical and electrical contractor in disputes with a main contractor and a £1.5 million insurance claim concerning mechanical and electrical works to the approach tunnels of a major airport.

Professional bodies

2015: Notary Public
2008: Member, Institution of Civil Engineering and Chartered Engineer

“Nathaniel is always communicative and has excellent legal skills combined with a high level of technical construction knowledge.”

Chambers (2025)

Further testimonials

“Nathaniel Buckingham is very experienced, knowledgeable and competent.”

Chambers (2025)

“Nathaniel gives you confidence and leaves no stone unturned.”

Chambers (2025)

“Nathaniel is a commercially astute lawyer who is well versed in disputes and able to manage complex issues that arise in the construction industry.”

Chambers (2024)

“One of the key strengths Nathaniel has is an engineering background, which enables him to speak in a technical argument.”

Chambers (2024)

“Nathaniel is very bright, very thorough and easy to deal with.”

Chambers (2024)

“Extremely personable and provides first class expertise which is thoroughly thought out and tested internally.”

Legal 500 (2020)

Further information:

Recognition and memberships

A finalist for the Institution of Civil Engineers’ 2008 James Rennie Medal, distinguishing him as one of the top three chartered civil engineering candidates of that year.