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Dhan Kumar Limbu and others v. Dyson Technology Ltd. and others

Piers Feltham appeared for the claimants in proceedings brought against Dyson entities arising out of alleged forced labour and abusive working conditions at factories in Malaysia operated by a third-party supplier.

The claimants, migrant workers from Nepal and Bangladesh, advanced claims in negligence, false imprisonment and unjust enrichment. They alleged that they had been trafficked and subjected to exploitative working and living conditions while employed by the supplier.

The proceedings were contested on jurisdictional grounds. Following earlier decisions, the Court of Appeal confirmed that England was the appropriate forum for the claims to be heard.

Piers was retained as specialist Chancery adviser and advocate to deal with a claim brought on behalf of a deceased worker before the claimant had obtained letters of administration, and the issue arising as to relation back of amendment to the capacity of the claimant in a claim governed by Rome II.

The claims have now been settled on confidential terms and without any admission of liability.

The settlement follows a High Court ruling in January indicating that Dyson may face a substantial number of further claims arising out of similar allegations.

Piers was instructed by Leigh Day.