Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Limbu v Dyson: UK Supreme Court forum non conveniens ruling and settlement signal supply-chain duty of care, unjust enrichment risk and momentum for mandatory human rights due diligence reform

Published on: 16 April 2026

Published by a LexisNexis Commercial expert

Legal News

Article summary

In brief

Limbu v Dyson, alleging forced labour within Dyson’s Malaysian supply network, settled before trial
The proceedings posed novel issues about whether UK companies may owe a duty of care to workers in overseas supply chains
The Supreme Court’s refusal of Dyson’s forum non‑convenience challenge signalled a judicial readiness to scrutinise human rights harms abroad
The claim also advanced unjust enrichment, contending Dyson effectively profited from exploitation
Although Dyson denies liability, the settlement signals an important acceptance of responsibility and may still deliver key outcomes pursued through strategic litigation: remedy, accountability, industry change and pressure for legislative reform

What happened in Limbu v Dyson?

In 2022, twenty‑four Nepalese and Bangladeshi migrant workers issued a High Court claim against Dyson over alleged abuses while working in two Malaysian factories making components for the Dyson supply chain. After years of wrangling over forum, a January 2026 ruling that the case should be heard in the UK saw Dyson then settle. This article examines the background, character and potential wider impacts of this important test case...

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