Also known as the official committee of equity security holders. The equity committee is generally appointed by the US Trustee to represent the interests of equity security holders in Chapter 11 cases. It can also be appointed at the direction of the court in response to the request of a party in interest. Formation of an equity committee is discretionary, not mandatory, and done only when necessary to ensure the adequate representation of equity security holders. The committee ordinarily consists of the seven largest equity security holders of the debtor who are willing to serve, although the US Trustee has discretion to determine the size and membership.