Lawyers for HRM will present arguments defending the city’s sale of the former St. Patrick’s-Alexandra School building in Nova Scotia Supreme Court today.

It’s the second day of hearings in a judicial review of the sale of the property to a private developer, which was stalled by community groups who say the sale wasn’t legal under HRM’s rules.

Lawyer Ron Pink, who represents the community groups, presented his argument for invalidating the sale on Tuesday. He says HRM didn’t follow its own policies under the city charter when it sold the property.

“They should quash the decision and put it up for offer again,” said Pink. “They failed to follow the duty of fairness. They owed to us to follow the policy they had.”

His second argument was that HRM sold the property for $3 million instead of the appraised $4.3 million value.

The former school building was sold to Jono Developments last year, but the sale is on hold pending the outcome of the judicial inquiry.

Pink also argued the city should have offered the property to the community groups before selling it to a developer. He represents the North End Community Health Association, Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Society and Richard Preston Centre for Excellence Society.

Rev. Rhonda Britton, who has led the campaign to overturn the sale, thinks day one of the hearing went well for her side.

“Our opposition, our argument, our displeasure is with the city and the way they disposed of this property,” Britton told reporters outside the courtroom. “I’m hoping that judge will say ‘Hey, HRM you got it wrong and you have to do it over.’”

A decision on the sale could take months.

The developer has said he’ll sue HRM if the sale falls through.