David Wilson, Partner in Excello Law’s Belfast office, is a senior commercial property lawyer with extensive experience in landlord and tenant matters, acquisitions and disposals, and specialist telecoms and title issues. He is particularly known for resolving complex and historic title defects, delivering good and marketable title in transactions where legal complications might otherwise impede progress.
That expertise is central to his ongoing role as sole legal adviser to CSM Property Management, the largest block management company in Northern Ireland.
Strategic Legal Support Across a Major Residential Portfolio
CSM Property Management manages 350+ residential blocks and owns a portfolio of more than 50 apartment schemes across Northern Ireland. David leads the legal support for CSM across property, construction and planning matters affecting this extensive and operationally critical portfolio.
The instruction goes well beyond routine property management work. David advises on:
- Construction defect issues
- Complex and historic title problems
- Rights of way and easement disputes
- Portfolio risk and insurability issues
- Acquisition of title to common areas, including from the Crown Estate under bona vacantia principles
A recurring issue across legacy residential developments is that block management companies do not always own the common areas on which schemes are built. Title may remain with original developers or, where those developers have become insolvent, vest in the Crown Solicitor or the Crown Estate. These gaps in title can create significant legal and practical consequences, including:
- Insurance complications
- Lender concerns
- Apartments becoming unmortgageable
- Reduced asset value and marketability
David and the wider team have developed specialist knowledge in acquiring common parts from the Crown and in assessing the likely consideration payable where land has vested as bona vacantia. By perfecting title to common areas, the team is often able to transform previously problematic or unmarketable schemes into assets capable of normal market trading, enabling leaseholders and shareholders to sell without legal impediments linked to defective common area ownership.
Integrated, Multi-Disciplinary Support
David works closely with colleagues James Browne, Eoin Hamilton, Karen Reavey, and Andrew Rimmer (construction, Excello Law Manchester), reflecting a genuinely integrated approach to large portfolio clients. This coordinated model allows CSM to receive a turnkey legal service spanning property, construction, and planning risk — particularly important where title, building issues, and development history intersect.
The ongoing instruction highlights both the scale of CSM’s portfolio and the value of technically sophisticated, commercially practical legal advice in maintaining and enhancing the long-term viability of residential assets.
Congratulations to David Wilson and the wider Excello team on delivering specialist, solution-driven support on a portfolio of real strategic significance.
