Many countries have seen attempts at sweeping reforms of their consumer bankruptcy systems. Surprisingly, many of these reforms were either defeated or watered down. Most of these reforms include provisions that will make the discharge of consumer debts more difficult. This is especially true in English Common Law countries. Four countries, Australia, Canada, Great Britain and the United States, either passed or attempted to pass broad reforms in an apparent attempt to reduce the number of consumer bankruptcy filings. This paper will examine the reforms and the increases in consumer bankruptcy filings in these countries, by examining the histories of their bankruptcy systems and the resulting institutions, as well as the political factors involved in the reform attempt. The similarities and differences between these countries will be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]