SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

   Report of Foreign Private Issuer

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934


January 02, 2009
 
Commission File Number 001-14978
 

SMITH & NEPHEW plc
 (Registrant's name)

15 Adam Street
London, England WC2N 6LA
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices)


[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
 
   Form 20-F  X                   Form 40-F
    ---                                   ---
 
[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).]
 
Yes                            No  X
---                               ---
 
      [Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
 paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).]
 
Yes                            No  X
---                              ---
 
     [Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained
in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing information to the
 Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
 
                  Yes                            No  X
                        ---                               ---
 
     If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b) : 82- n/a.
 


 

SIGNATURES

 

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 


                                                         Smith & Nephew Plc
                                                 (Registrant)


Date: January 02, 2009
 


                                                                       By:   /s/ Paul Chambers
                                                        -----------------
                                                 Paul Chambers
                                                 Company Secretary
 

NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES


1. Name of company


Smith & Nephew plc 


2. Name of shareholder having a major interest


Newton Investment Management Limited 


3. Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18


Non-beneficial


4. Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of shares held by each of them


………………………………………………………




5. Number of shares / amount of stock acquired


……………………………………………


6. Percentage of issued class


………………………………………………………



7. Number of shares / amount of stock disposed



8. Percentage of issued class


………………………………………………………


9. Class of security


Ordinary shares of US 20 cents


10. Date of transaction


29.12.08


11. Date company informed


2.1.09


12. Total holding following this notification


44,167,524


13. Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification


5.00%


14. Any additional information


This notification is further to the receipt of a TR1 Form in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules.


15. Name of contact and telephone number for queries


Paul Chambers - Company Secretary

020 7960 2312


16. Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for making this notification


Paul Chambers - Company Secretary


Date of notification


2.1.09


The FSA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of this document or material and does not accept any liability for error or omission. The FSA is not liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business or loss of profits) arising in contract, tort or otherwise from the use of or inability to use this document, or any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of using this document or any such material.