Opinion ID: 1333326
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: We are asked to review the circuit court's dismissal of Cable's petition for a writ of mandamus. We have repeatedly described the elements required for mandamus relief as follows: A writ of mandamus will not issue unless three elements coexist(1) a clear legal right in the petitioner to the relief sought; (2) a legal duty on the part of respondent to do the thing which the petitioner seeks to compel; and (3) the absence of another adequate remedy. Syllabus Point 1, State ex rel. Billy Ray C. v. Skaff, 190 W.Va. 504, 438 S.E.2d 847 (1993); Syllabus Point 2, State ex rel. Kucera v. City of Wheeling, 153 W.Va. 538, 170 S.E.2d 367 (1969). Syl. pt. 2, Staten v. Dean, 195 W.Va. 57, 464 S.E.2d 576 (1995). In this appeal, the parties' arguments revolve around the first and second elements required for mandamus, which are a clear legal right in the petitioner and a legal duty on the part of the respondent. Furthermore, resolution of the issues presented in this particular case require us to apply the provisions of Rule 3 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure and W.Va. Code § 59-1-11(a) (1996) (Repl.Vol.1997). [8] There have been no factual issues raised in this appeal. Thus, our review will be de novo. See Syl. pt. 1, Staten v. Dean, 195 W.Va. 57, 464 S.E.2d 576 (1995) (The standard of appellate review of a circuit court's order granting relief through the extraordinary writ of mandamus is de novo.). See also Syl. pt. 1, Chrystal R.M. v. Charlie A.L., 194 W.Va. 138, 459 S.E.2d 415 (1995) (Where 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.).