Opinion ID: 1418417
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: As set forth in syllabus point one of Light v. Allstate Insurance Company, 203 W.Va. 27, 506 S.E.2d 64 (1998), [a] de novo standard is applied by this Court in addressing the legal issues presented by a certified question from a federal district or appellate court. Accord Syl. Pt. 1, Bower v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp., 206 W.Va. 133, 522 S.E.2d 424 (1999) (This Court undertakes plenary review of legal issues presented by certified question from a federal district or appellate court.). Likewise, the certified question before us requires an examination of two statutory provisions, and in such cases [w]here the issue ... is clearly a question of law or involving an interpretation of a statute, we apply a de novo standard of review. Syl. Pt. 1, in part, Chrystal R.M. v. Charlie A.L., 194 W.Va. 138, 459 S.E.2d 415 (1995).