In common law countries, habeas corpus () (Latin: command that you have the body) Jon R. Stone, Latin for the Illiterati: Exorcizing the Ghosts of a Dead Language, Routledge 1996, p.39 is the name of a legal action, or writ, through which a person can seek relief from unlawful detention of themselves or another person. The writ of habeas corpus has historically been an important instrument for the safeguarding of individual freedom against arbitrary state action.Also known as "The Great Writ," a writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum is a summons with the force of a court order addressed to the custodian (such as a prison official) demanding that a prisoner be brought before the court, together with proof of authority, allowing the court to determine whether that custodian has lawful authority to hold that person, or, if not, the person should be released from custody. The prisoner, or another person on his behalf (for example, where the prisoner is being held incommunicado), may petit

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas Corpus
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