This paper is an analysis of effects of winding up proceedings conducted in certain European countries of the common law system. First of all, the paper presents the system of insolvency law in the EU, taking into account the sources of EU insolvency law. This is followed by a presentation of European law regulations concerning the impact of an insolvency order issued in one EU Member State on litigation and enforcement proceedings in another Member State, including the effects of such insolvency order on pending lawsuits, with special focus on enforcement and examination proceedings. Then there follows a presentation of the regulations concerning consumer bankruptcy in the UK, including the sources of law, with a specification of the particularities of the law of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the procedure, the legal effects of bankruptcy orders and the legal effects of writing-off of debts. Finally, the influence of winding-up proceedings initiated in Ireland and the UK on the initiation and conduct of litigation before Polish courts and on the course of examination proceedings in Poland. On the basis of the above reflections, a conclusion is formulated that if in Ireland and the UK consumer bankruptcy proceedings are initiated, while in Poland proceedings are pending with respect to the bankruptcy estate, these proceedings should be stayed pursuant to the Polish law. These proceedings should be resumed with the participation of a trustee or, where no trustee has been appointed, with the participation of an official receiver. It is also indicated that if an insolvency or bankruptcy order is issued in the UK, then English law will apply to assessing the possibility of initiating examination proceedings before a Polish court. Under the English law, unsecured creditors have no legal remedies against the debtor until declaration of bankruptcy without the leave of the court (Section 285 of the Insolvency Act). Once they obtain consent, they have to submit their claims to the trustee. Only secured creditors, e.g. ones having a mortgage on the debtor’s property, have the right to pursue their secured clams bypassing the rules presented above.