Law Commons^™

Appellate Review Of Trial Court Decisions, J. Smithburn

J. Eric Smithburn

Understanding the different standards of review is necessary to the lawyer's informed reading of the appellate opinion. Further, the lawyer should use standard of review to discuss with the client the nature of the trial court's decision and the likelihood of success on review. If the client understands the difference between questions of law, which are reviewed de novo, and discretionary decisions, which are generally deferred to unless unreasonable, he or she will form realistic expectations about the trial and whether to consider an appeal. This casebook discusses the role of appellate courts and the history of appellate review and …