Opinion ID: 2052439
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard and scope of appellate review

Text: The determination after trial of the Court of Chancery that Broz breached his fiduciary duty of loyalty involves both a question of law and a question of fact. Science Accessories Corp. v. Summagraphics Corp., Del.Supr., 425 A.2d 957, 963 (1980) (whether corporate opportunity has been usurped depends... on the facts and the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom); Johnston v. Greene, Del.Supr., 121 A.2d 919, 923 (1956); Guth v. Loft, Inc., Del.Supr., 5 A.2d 503, 513 (1939) (whether a corporate opportunity has been usurped is a factual question to be decided by reasonable inferences from objective facts). As we have stated previously, a trial court's finding pertaining to a purported breach of the duty of loyalty, being fact dominated, is, on appeal, entitled to substantial deference unless clearly erroneous or not the product of a logical and deductive process. Cede & Co. v. Technicolor, Inc., Del.Supr., 634 A.2d 345, 360 (1993) (quoting Citron v. Fairchild Camera & Instrument Corp., Del.Supr., 569 A.2d 53, 64 (1989)); see also Levitt v. Bouvier, Del.Supr., 287 A.2d 671, 673 (1972). In all events, if it can be shown that the court erred in formulating or applying legal precepts, this Court's review is plenary. Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Wholesalers, Inc. v. Ayers, Del.Supr., 504 A.2d 1077, 1081 (1986); see also Rohner v. Niemann, Del. Supr., 380 A.2d 549, 552 (1977).