In the case brought against them regarding the exploitation of Malawian farmers and their children, BAT and Imperial Brands are asking for the high court to dismiss the case, reports the Guardian.

Investigations by the Guardian into child labour in the tobacco fields of Malawi had brought several misgivings to light and resulted in a court case against the two tobacco giants.
British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Brands deny all allegations and have now asked the high court in London to dismiss the case on the grounds that the farmers’ lawyers are unable to prove the tobacco they grew ended up in BAT or Imperial products.
According to the Guardian, several thousand of Malawi’s tobacco farmers have joined the claim, stating that they sell their entire crop to a leaf-buying company in Malawi that supplies BAT and Imperial. Their lawyers say the working conditions are not only unlawful under Malawian law but also breach the UK Modern Slavery Act.
“The heart of the claim is that two of the largest tobacco companies in the world cynically exploited impoverished tobacco farmers from Malawi and their children. Fortunately the two defendant companies are based here in Britain giving our courts jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims.” He said he was optimistic the judge would allow the claims to progress toward a full trial,” said Martyn Day, senior partner at Leigh Day, the London-based company representing the Malawian farmers.
A spokesperson for Imperial said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on this ongoing litigation, other than to reiterate that we will defend the claim.”
“BAT believes that there is no legal or factual basis to bring these claims, therefore BAT has made an application for the claims to be struck out or stayed,” said a BAT spokesperson.