The Supreme Court has ruled that the forced labor, modern slavery and exploitation claims against Dyson will be heard in full in April 2027.
In a ruling issued today following a case management conference in December 2025, the Court confirmed that the allegations made by 24 former migrant workers will be examined against the cases of six lead plaintiffs. The trial will focus on working and living conditions in Malaysian factories within Dyson’s electronics supply chain and determine whether Dyson companies are legally liable for the alleged abuses.
Any remaining workers’ compensation and claims will be addressed at a separate follow-up hearing if liability is determined.
The plaintiffs, represented by law firm Leigh Day, allege that they were subjected to forced labor practices and prison sentences while employed by Malaysian suppliers ATA Industrial (M) Sdn Bhd and Jabco Filter System Sdn Bhd to produce components for Dyson’s supply chain.
As part of the ruling, the High Court ordered Dyson to disclose a number of documents previously referred to in a now-dismissed defamation case brought by Dyson against Channel 4 News and ITN over their reporting of alleged workplace abuses. The documents to be disclosed include internal meeting minutes between Dyson and ATA in 2021, audit reports conducted between 2019 and 2021, correspondence from Dyson’s chief legal officer and records of requests to workers to work on rest days to increase production volumes.
Mr Justice Pepperall stressed the importance of ensuring that the plaintiffs, described as impoverished and vulnerable migrant workers, can participate on an equal footing with Dyson, a well-resourced multinational corporation. He emphasized the seriousness of the alleged human rights violations and called on both sides to advance the case cooperatively and realistically.
The judge also noted the delay caused by Dyson’s unsuccessful attempt to have the case heard in Malaysia rather than England, and stressed that the litigation must move forward without further interruption.
During the hearing, the court was told that Leigh Day had been contacted by hundreds of other migrant workers with potentially similar claims against Dyson. Up to 100 more cases could be filed this year, although the judge said additional claims should not affect the schedule for the ongoing trial.
Expert and factual evidence will be collected and further disclosures will be made in the coming months, including Dyson’s internal documents relating to its knowledge of working conditions in its supply chain.
Oliver Holland, international partner at Leigh Day and lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said the ruling had significantly strengthened his clients’ position and improved access to justice in England and Wales.
“The Supreme Court has recognized the need for equality of arms in a case of this nature,” he said. “This ruling helps ensure that our clients, who are among the world’s poorest workers, can participate fairly in proceedings against a global corporation. We are committed to moving the case forward efficiently and achieving justice as quickly as possible.”
The case is being closely watched by companies, lawyers and ESG specialists as scrutiny of supply chain practices and corporate responsibility intensifies.
