legal Definition of clearly erroneous
: being or containing a finding of fact that is not supported by substantial or competent evidence or by reasonable inferences
- findings of fact…must not be set aside unless clearly erroneous
- —Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 52(a)
Note:
The requirement that findings be clearly erroneous to be set aside is a standard of review used especially by an appellate court when reviewing a trial judge's (as opposed to a jury's) findings of fact for error.
