Analysis of fully discrete finite element methods for 2D Navier--Stokes equations with critical initial data

An error estimate is presented for a fully discrete semi-implicit finite element method for the two-dimensional Navier--Stokes equations with $L^2$ initial data in convex polygonal domains, without extra regularity assumptions or CFL conditions, by utilizing the smoothing properties of the Navier--Stokes equations, an appropriate duality argument, and the smallness of the numerical solution in the discrete $L^2(0,t_m;H^1)$ norm when $t_m$ is smaller than some constant. Numerical examples are provided to support the theoretical analysis.