High Court rules that forced labour and exploitation claims against Dyson will be tried next year

In a judgment handed down today, following a case management conference in December 2025, a judge ruled that the claims of 24 former migrant workers will be tried by listening to the cases of six individuals on the conditions in the Malaysian factories and worker accommodation in the Dyson electronics supply chain. The trial will determine the liability of the Dyson electronic corporate group to the six lead claimants.

Any compensation to be awarded and questions of the other claimants’ claims will be decided in a separate follow up trial.

The claimants, who are represented by law firm Leigh Day, allege that they were subjected to forced labour and false imprisonment while working to produce components for the Dyson supply chain, employed by Malaysian companies ATA Industrial (M) Sdn Bhd (ATA) and Jabco Filter System Sdn Bhd. 

The High Court ordered that Dyson must now disclose certain “known” documents referenced in the now discontinued defamation claims brought by Dyson against Channel Four News and ITN regarding news reports on the allegations of forced labour in their supply chain:

• Minutes from at least four separate meetings between Dyson and ATA that took place in 2021 regarding their ongoing commercial relationship.
• A report from RBA/Elevate dated September 2021 about an audit carried out in 2021 of ATA’s factory facilities.
• The reports from five audits carried out by Dyson or on their behalf by Intertek Group plc or its subsidiary between 2019 and 2021.
• Six letters from Martin Bowen, Dyson’s Chief Legal Officer, to ATA dated between May and October 2021.
• The pre-approvals and requests from Dyson for ATA workers to work on rest days to maximise production volumes in 2021.

Mr Justice Pepperall stressed the need to ensure that the impoverished and vulnerable claimants were on an equal footing with the well-resourced and commercially experienced defendants, particularly given the allegations of very serious human rights abuses.

He urged the parties to move forward with realism and cooperation, and said there was a compelling need for the case to be progressed promptly after the delay caused by Dyson’s claim that the case should be tried in Malaysia rather than England.

The Judge also noted that Leigh Day had made the court aware that it had been contacted by hundreds of other migrant workers with potential similar claims against Dyson. Up to 100 of those had been identified as having potentially valid claims which would be ready to file with the court early this year. The Judge noted that any such claims should not disrupt the trial of the present claims.

In the coming months, the evidence from experts and factual witnesses, will be gathered and documents will be disclosed, including  internal documents from the Dyson defendant companies relating to their knowledge of the conditions in their supply chain.

The former migrant workers are represented by law firm Leigh Day, and the claim is led by international team partner, Oliver Holland. His team includes Celine O’Donovan, Liberty Bridge and Benji Gourgey.

Oliver Holland said:

“The Claimants’ position has been strengthened by this judgment, as has access to justice in England and Wales generally.  

“The High Court has recognised the importance of an equality of arms in this case. This ruling helps protect the ability of our clients, who the High Court acknowledged are among the world’s poorest workers, to participate equally in a fair trial of their claims.

“We are keen to work with the courts to see this case progressed promptly and will work as efficiently as we can to achieve speedy justice for our clients.”