Comparative Perspectives of Consumer Over-Indebtedness: A View from the UK, Germany, Greece, and Italy

The topic of this book is the over-indebtedness of consumers and their inability to repay their debts. With a large number of people having excessive debt levels across Europe, this not only impacts badly on the lives of those who are affected, but it also carries great social and economic costs. Therefore, it has become a concern for both national and EU policy-makers and it requires adequate legal responses for the prevention of the problem and the alleviation of its effects. Responsible credit and personal insolvency are the main solutions discussed in this book alongside other practical aspects.

This collection of edited multidisciplinary essays is a selection of papers emanating from a range of presentations delivered by recognised national academic and non-academic experts representing a diversity of interests in the UK, Germany, Greece and Italy. Written by academics, representatives of consumer organisations, practitioners, debt advisors, and industry representatives it is an important resource not only for their equivalents but also for policy makers, the judiciary, and everyone involved in the understanding of the problem.