The last of a series of six programmes
Habeas Corpus
The writ of Habeas Corpus is commonly reckoned, alongside Magna Carta, as one of the great props of British liberty over the centuries. In recent years, however, its use has been effectively curtailed, to the point where some lawyers claim that it has withered away and is simply not available in some cases when it is most needed - notably immigration cases. The judges, who control the writ, strongly deny this. Hugo Young explores these radically different assessments of a great British remedy with. among others. LORD SCAR-MAN, LORD DENNING, barrister GEOFFREY ROBERTSON. IAN MARTIN of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, and ANTHONY LESTER , QC.
Producer ANNE SLOMAN