What is the palpable and overriding error of a judge on appeal?

An error is said to be palpable if it is clear or obvious. An error is overriding if, in the context of the whole case, it is so serious as to be determinative when assessing the balance of probabilities with respect to that particular factual issue. Thus, invoking the "palpable and overriding error" standard recognizes that a high degree of deference is paid on appeal to findings of fact at trial. See, for example, Housen, supra, at ¶ 1-5. Not every misapprehension of the evidence or every error of fact by the trial judge will justify appellate intervention. The error must not only be plainly seen, but be "overriding and determinative." Delgamuukw v. British Columbia, 1997 CanLII 302 (SCC), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 1010 at ¶78 and 80.