Questions of Law
"Conclusions of law are reviewed de novo and are subject to full review. State v. Biber, 365 N.C. 162, 168, 712 S.E.2d 874, 878 (2011); see also Carolina Power & Light Co. v. City of Asheville, 358 N.C. 512, 517, 597 S.E.2d 717, 721 (2004) ("Conclusions of law drawn by the trial court from its findings of fact are reviewable de novo on appeal.).
"'Under a de novo review, the court considers the matter anew and freely substitutes its own judgment' for that of the lower tribunal. State v. Williams, 362 N.C. 628, 632-33, 669 S.E.2d 290, 294 (2008) (quoting In re Greens of Pine Glen, Ltd. P'ship, 356 N.C. 642, 647, 576 S.E.2d 316, 319 (2003)); see also Craig v. New Hanover Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 363 N.C. 334, 337, 678 S.E.2d 351, 354 (2009) ("Under a de novo review, the court considers the matter anew and freely substitutes its own judgment for that of the lower tribunal. (quotation marks omitted)).
"Issues of statutory construction are questions of law, reviewed de novo on appeal. McKoy v. McKoy, 202 N.C. App. 509, 511, 689 S.E.2d 590, 592 (2010)