The High Court has ruled that a full hearing on the forced labour, modern slavery and exploitation claims brought against Dyson will take place in April 2027.
In a judgment handed down today following a case management conference in December 2025, the court confirmed that the allegations made by 24 former migrant workers will be tested through the cases of the six lead claimants. 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.
If liability is established any compensation and remaining workers' claims will be dealt with in a separate, follow-up hearing.
The claimants, represented by law firm Leigh Day, allege that while employed by Malaysian suppliers ATA Industrial (M) Sdn Bhd and Jabco Filter Systems Sdn Bhd, they suffered forced labor practices and false imprisonment while producing components for Dyson's supply chain.
As part of the judgment, the High Court ordered Dyson to disclose a series of documents previously referred to in now closed defamation proceedings brought by Dyson against Channel 4 News and ITN over reporting on alleged labor abuses. Documents to be disclosed include minutes of an internal meeting between Dyson and ATA in 2021, audit reports conducted between 2019 and 2021, correspondence from Dyson's chief legal officer, and records related to requests for workers to work on rest days to increase production volumes.
Mr Justice Pepperall stressed the importance of ensuring that the claimants, described as poor and vulnerable migrant workers, are able to participate on an equal footing with Dyson, a wealthy multinational conglomerate. He highlighted the seriousness of the alleged human rights violations and urged both sides to pursue the case with cooperation and realism.
The judge also noted the delays caused by Dyson's unsuccessful attempt to have the case heard in Malaysia instead of England and stressed the need for the trial to proceed without disruption.
During the hearing, the court was told that hundreds of other migrant workers have contacted Leigh Day with potentially similar claims against Dyson. An additional 100 cases could be set to be filed this year, although the judge said any other claims should not interfere with the existing trial timetable.
Over the coming months, expert and factual evidence will be collected and further disclosed, including internal Dyson documents relating to knowledge of labor conditions within its supply chain.
Oliver Holland, international partner at Lee Day and lead counsel for the claimants, said the judgment significantly strengthened his clients' position and strengthened access to justice in England and Wales.
“The High Court has recognized the need for equality of arms in a case of this nature,” he said. “This decision helps ensure that our clients, who are among the poorest workers in the world, can participate fairly in proceedings against a global corporation. We are committed to prosecuting the case efficiently and achieving justice as quickly as possible.”
The case will be closely watched by businesses, legal practitioners and ESG experts as scrutiny of supply chain practices and corporate accountability continues to intensify.
Amy Ingham
Amy is a newly qualified journalist specializing in business journalism with responsibility for news content at Business Matters, the UK's largest print and online source of current business news.