EU Informal Debt-Collection Regulation : Failure by Design?

Abstract

The book dissects the European Union’s regulatory failure to address abusive informal debt-collection practices, revealing an industry where consumers are left vulnerable to aggressive tactics and inadequate protections. Through a rigorous analysis of EU legal frameworks, historical development, and empirical data, it traces the evolution of debt-collection from body-based enforcement to the commodification of debt as tradeable property. Highlighting the impact of fragmented, inconsistent regulations, the book underscores how industry lobbying and regulatory capture compromise consumer rights, allowing abusive practices to persist unchecked. By examining the legal and social implications of debt commodification, the book questions whether current EU policies strike a necessary balance between financial stability and consumer protection. Case studies, analysis of key EU directives, and discussion of critical CJEU rulings illustrate the systemic nature of regulatory oversight failures. Calling for more effective, unified approaches, this work is an essential resource for policymakers, legal scholars, and practitioners dedicated to reforming debt-collection governance to protect individuals and promote fairness in the credit markets.