Opinion ID: 1282901
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: In establishing a standard of review for examining a lower tribunal's rulings, this Court has consistently held as follows: In reviewing a final order entered by a circuit court judge upon a review of, or upon a refusal to review, a final order of a family court judge, we review the findings of fact made by the family court judge under the clearly erroneous standard, and the application of law to the facts under an abuse of discretion standard. We review questions of law de novo. Syllabus, Carr v. Hancock, 216 W.Va. 474, 607 S.E.2d 803 (2004). Moreover, [w]here the issue on an appeal from the circuit court is clearly a question of law or involving an interpretation of a statute, we apply a de novo standard of review. Syl. Pt. 1, Chrystal R.M v. Charlie A.L., 194 W.Va. 138, 459 S.E.2d 415 (1995); see also Syl. Pt. 1, Appalachian Power Co. v. State Tax Dep't of West Virginia, 195 W.Va. 573, 466 S.E.2d 424 (1995) (Interpreting a statute or an administrative rule or regulation presents a purely legal question subject to de novo review.). Based upon the guidance of these standards, we address the merits of this appeal.