48 U.S.C. § 2176: Compensation of professionals

reasonable compensation for actual, necessary services rendered by the professional person, or attorney and by any paraprofessional person employed by any such person; and reimbursement for actual, necessary expenses. The court may, on its own motion or on the motion of the United States Trustee or any other party in interest, award compensation that is less than the amount of compensation that is requested. the time spent on such services; the rates charged for such services; whether the services were necessary to the administration of, or beneficial at the time at which the service was rendered toward the completion of, a case under this chapter; 1 1 See References in Text note below. whether the services were performed within a reasonable amount of time commensurate with the complexity, importance, and nature of the problem, issue, or task addressed; with respect to a professional person, whether the person is board certified or otherwise has demonstrated skill and experience in the restructuring field; and whether the compensation is reasonable based on the customary compensation charged by comparably skilled practitioners in cases other than cases under this subchapter or title 11. unnecessary duplication of services; or reasonably likely to benefit the debtor; or necessary to the administration of the case. The court shall reduce the amount of compensation awarded under this section by the amount of any interim compensation awarded under section 2177 of this title , and, if the amount of such interim compensation exceeds the amount of compensation awarded under this section, may order the return of the excess to the debtor. Any compensation awarded for the preparation of a fee application shall be based on the level and skill reasonably required to prepare the application.