Habeas Corpus Act 1679

1679 CHAPTER 2 31 Cha 2

An Act for the better secureing the Liberty of the Subject and for Prevention of Imprisonments beyond the Seas.

X1 Recital that Delays had been used by Sheriffs in making Returns of Writs of Habeas Corpus, &c.

WHEREAS great Delayes have beene used by Sheriffes Goalers and other Officers to whose Custody any of the Kings Subjects have beene committed for criminall or supposed criminall Matters in makeing Returnes of Writts of Habeas Corpus to them directed by standing out an Alias and Pluries Habeas Corpus and sometimes more and by other shifts to avoid their yeilding Obedience to such Writts contrary to their Duty and the knowne Lawes of the Land whereby many of the Kings Subjects have beene and hereafter may be long detained in Prison in such Cases where by Law they are baylable to their great charge and vexation.

Editorial Information

X1 Abbreviations or contractions in the original form of this Act have been expanded into modern lettering in the text set out above and below.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Short title given by Short Titles Act 1896 (c. 14)