This is a chapter from a forthcoming book on the treatment of former entrepreneurs in the Dutch personal insolvency law (the Wsnp). To contribute a comparative perspective, this chapter contrasts the Dutch law and practice with developments in the United States, England and Wales, Germany,...

This paper explores the problems and processes that led to the birth of consumer bankruptcy in continental Europe, a process that began in Denmark in January 1972 and culminated with the adoption of the Danish consumer debt adjustment act, Gældssaneringslov, on May 9, 1984. While this law is...