Stečajni postupak je vrsta izvanparničnog sudskog postupka koji se provodi nad trgovačkim društvima, imovinom obrtnika ili trgovca pojedinca. Cilj stečajnog postupka je namirenje vjerovnika, a koji ujedno mogu biti i inicijatori istoga. Stečaj se pokreće predajom prijedloga za otvaranja stečaja, a razlozi za isti su prezaduženost ili nesposobnost za plaćanje. Otvaranje i ishod stečajnog postupka kao i odluke suda imaju direktan utjecaj na vjerovnike. Postoje četiri vrste vjerovnika te svaki od njih ima različit pravni položaj u odnosu na stečajnu masu. Sukladno stečajnom zakonu stečajni vjerovnici svoje tražbine mogu ostvarivati isključivo u stečajnom postupku. Ovim radom prikazani su stečajni postupak i razlozi pokretanja stečajnog postupka. Poseban osvrt stavljen je na odbor vjerovnika, skupštinu vjerovnika, pravne posljedice otvaranja stečajnog postupka te proces prijave tražbina u stečajnom postupku.

Bankruptcy proceedings are a type of non-litigious court proceedings conducted over a trading company, a trader's property, or an individual trader. The purpose of the bankruptcy proceedings is to settle the creditor, who may also be the initiator of the bankruptcy proceedings. A proposal for the bankruptcy proceedings is submitted, and the reasons are over-indebtedness or inability to pay. The outcomes of bankruptcy but also pre-accession proceedings as well as court decisions have a direct impact on creditors. There are four types of creditors and each of them has a different legal status concerning the bankruptcy mass. Pursuant to bankruptcy law, bankruptcy creditors can make their claims solely in bankruptcy proceedings.This paper analyzed the reasons for initiating the bankruptcy proceedings, the jurisdiction of the court, the length of time and the costs of bankruptcy proceedings. Particular attention was given to the board of creditors, general assembly of creditors and the process of submitting claims in bankruptcy proceedings.