STANDARD OF REVIEW
Upon a District Court ruling, § 9-12-10.1 of the Rhode Island General Laws permits the aggrieved party in a landlord-tenant action to appeal to the Superior Court for a "trial on all questions of law and fact." See Gen. Laws § 9-12-10.1. Accordingly, the trial justice reviews all the questions of law and fact on a de novo basis. See Bernierv. Lombardi, 793 A.2d 201, 202 (R.I. 2002). Using his or her independent judgment, the Superior Court justice rules on the merits of the case. SeeFinney Outdoor Advertising Co., Inc. v. Cordeiro, 485 A.2d 910, 911 (R.I. 1984) (noting "the availability of a hearing de novo at the Superior Court level clearly grants an appellant the right to have the Superior Court justice use his independent judgment in ruling on the merits of the case").