A Bankruptcy Order is made by the Court either on the application of a creditor who is owed over £750 or a debtor personally.

The process of requesting the Court to make someone bankrupt is referred to as petitioning the Court for a Bankruptcy Order.

A debtor who wishes to petition the court to make themselves bankrupt must pay fees of up to £700. This figure comprises a Court fee of £175 and a fee of £525 to contribute towards the costs of administering the bankruptcy. The Court fee may be waived in certain circumstances for example if the debtor receives certain benefits.

Once the Court has made an Order that a debtor shall be made bankrupt his/her assets come under the control of the Official Receiver who is automatically appointed as Trustee in Bankruptcy
If the bankrupt has assets the Official Receiver may call a meeting of creditors to appoint a Trustee in Bankruptcy who must be a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner, in his place or the Secretary of State may appoint a Trustee.

The Trustee is responsible for realising the bankrupt’s assets, settling the costs of the bankruptcy including the costs of the Official Receiver and if possible distributing funds to creditors.

Bankruptcy generally lasts for one year before an individual is discharged but the individual may be required to make contributions from their income for the benefit of their creditors for up to 3 years.  If the bankrupt has acted dishonestly, or is blameworthy in some way the Official Receiver may apply for a Bankruptcy Restriction Order (BRO) for between 2 and 15 years.  The restrictions are the same as those applying to bankruptcy.
 
Bankruptcy will affect an individuals ability to obtain credit even after they have been discharged as credit reference agencies keep a record of bankruptcy for six years.
 
Bankruptcy usually involves the closure of any business that the bankrupt runs and the dismissal of their employees
 
It can affect employment. Members of certain professions including solicitors and people whose roles are regulated by the Financial Services Authority are not allowed to become bankrupt.
 
If a bankrupt owns a house either solely or jointly with a partner their share or interest in the property must be realised for the benefit of creditors. In many cases a forced sale of the property, which can be expensive and time consuming, may be avoided if a spouse or other relative or friend can purchase the bankrupts interest.