[ruoflaw]

I honestly don't know. To look at it fresh, to me means to start over which could be as simple as looking at what the lawyers have filed and listening to the lawyers arguments but I am not a attorney.

[Cboldt]

Look it up! For heaven sakes. It's easy! It's Fun!! google: de novo definition

http://www.legal-definitions.com/de-novo.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/de-novo

I think the second one is a little better. It's notes the "fact/law" distinction that is so important.