The bankruptcy trustee applied for court approval of her statement of receipts and disbursements and sought increased remuneration in administering a bankruptcy estate.
The court reviewed the trustee’s fees under s. 39 of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the jurisprudential principles governing trustee compensation.
While the estate involved complications caused by the bankrupt’s lack of disclosure and required court appearances and investigations, the court found several billing entries improper, including duplication of court preparation time, excessive travel charges, and charges for clerical work that constituted office overhead.
Applying a value-based assessment of services rendered to the estate, the court reduced the trustee’s fees accordingly.
The trustee’s remuneration was allowed in a reduced amount after disallowing specific items.
