Terms. 1  mesencephalon A part of the brain located rostral to the pons and caudal to the thalamus and the basal ganglia, composed of the tectum (dorsal portion) and the tegmentum (ventral portion). 2  substantia nigra Brain structure located in the midbrain that plays an important role in reward and movement.
De novo review refers to the appellate court's authority to review the trial court's conclusions on questions of the application, interpretation, and construction of law. Generally, the proper standard of review for employee benefit decisions, such as the denial of benefit claims, is de novo.
Initially the First Circuit used the de novo standard because â[i]n summary judgment there can be no review of factual issues, because Rule 56(c) bars the district court from resolving any disputed factual issues at the summary judgment stage.â New England Apple Council v Donovan, 725 F2d 139, 141 n 2 (1st Cir 1984).