The High Court has ruled that claims of forced labour, modern slavery and exploitation against Dyson will proceed to a full trial scheduled for April 2027.
The decision follows a case management conference held in December 2025 and confirms that allegations brought by 24 former migrant workers will be examined through the cases of six lead claimants. The trial will focus on working and living conditions at Malaysian factories within Dyson’s electronics supply chain and will determine whether the company can be held legally responsible for the alleged abuses.
Compensation for the remaining claimants and their individual claims will be addressed in a separate hearing if the court finds Dyson liable.
The former workers, represented by law firm Leigh Day, allege that while employed by Malaysian suppliers ATA Industrial (M) Sdn Bhd and Jabco Filter System Sdn Bhd, they were subjected to forced labour practices and false imprisonment while producing components for Dyson’s products.
As part of the ruling, Dyson has been ordered to disclose documents previously referenced in defamation proceedings the company brought against Channel 4 News and ITN over reports on alleged labour abuses. The materials include internal meeting minutes between Dyson and ATA from 2021, audit reports from 2019 to 2021, correspondence from Dyson’s chief legal officer, and records regarding requests for workers to perform work on rest days to meet production targets.
Mr Justice Pepperall highlighted the need to ensure the claimants, described as impoverished and vulnerable migrant workers, can participate on an equal footing with a well-resourced multinational. He stressed the seriousness of the alleged human rights violations and urged both sides to proceed with cooperation and realism. The judge also noted delays caused by Dyson’s unsuccessful attempt to have the case heard in Malaysia rather than England and said the litigation must move forward without further disruption.
The court heard that Leigh Day has been contacted by hundreds of other migrant workers with potentially similar claims against Dyson. Up to 100 additional cases could be filed this year, though the judge said these should not interfere with the timetable for the existing trial.
In the coming months, expert and factual evidence will be gathered, and further disclosure of internal Dyson documents related to labour conditions in its supply chain will take place.
Oliver Holland, international partner at Leigh Day and lead lawyer for the claimants, said the ruling strengthened his clients’ position and reinforced access to justice. “The High Court has recognised the need for equality of arms in a case of this nature,” he said. “This judgment helps ensure our clients, who are among the world’s poorest workers, can participate fairly in proceedings against a global corporation. We are committed to progressing the case efficiently and achieving justice as swiftly as possible.”
The case is expected to attract close attention from businesses, legal practitioners, and ESG specialists, as scrutiny of supply chain practices and corporate accountability continues to rise.
