What significant change was brought about by the Habeas Corpus Act?

The Habeas Corpus Act, passed in 1679, is a cornerstone of legal rights in the UK and many other countries. Before this act, it was much easier for the government to imprison people without trial, potentially indefinitely. Imagine being locked up without knowing why or when you might be released! The Act directly addressed this issue. "Habeas Corpus" is Latin for "you must have the body," and it essentially means that a prisoner has the right to appear before a court. This forces the authorities to justify the imprisonment. The court then decides whether the detention is lawful. If not, the prisoner must be released. So, the significant change brought about by the Habeas Corpus Act is that every prisoner was granted the right to a court hearing, ensuring that no one could be held unlawfully. While other reforms like worker protections and financial aid are important, they came about through different legislation at different times.