In the Matter of N. Pfeffer Jewelers, Inc., Debtor-appellee, v. Arthur I. Winard, Attorney-appellant, 486 F.2d 610 (9th Cir. 1973)

By these proceedings appellant seeks compensation for his legal services in preserving a debtor's estate preparatory to an Arizona bankruptcy. His petition for allowance of fees was opposed by the trustee who filed formal written objections to which appellant responded. The matter was set for hearing at which appellant did not appear. Following hearing the referee filed findings of fact and conclusions of law followed by an order fixing compensation at a figure which amounted to a drastic reduction from that sought by appellant. Appellant then petitioned for review by the District Court. His petition, however, was filed 11 days after entry of the order-one day late under the requirements of Sec. 39(c) of the Bankruptcy Act, 11 U.S.C. § 67(c).¹  On this ground the petition was dismissed by the referee and that dismissal was upheld by the District Court. Appellant contends that the order was not one controlled by Sec. 39(c), but was an administrative order subject to modification at any time by the referee.

We agree with the referee and the District Court that Sec. 39(c) applied to the order of the referee fixing compensation for appellant's services. This was not an administrative order entered without opposition after informal proceedings such as was before this court in Flaxman, Coleman, Gorman & Rosoff v. Cheek, 355 F.2d 672 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 384 U.S. 954, 86 S. Ct. 1574, 16 L. Ed. 2d 549 (1966). Here, as we have noted, the relief sought by appellant was formally contested by the trustee. Appellant's motion was made the subject of a noticed hearing followed by written findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Under Sec. 39(c), ten days after entry of the order it became final and was no longer subject to review by the District Court. Appellant's petition was then subject to dismissal.

Judgment affirmed.