What is meant by 'habeas corpus'?

The concept of 'habeas corpus' refers specifically to a legal action that is used to secure an individual's release from unlawful detention or imprisonment. The term translates from Latin to "you shall have the body," emphasizing the judicial requirement for a person detained by the government to be brought before a court to determine if their detention is lawful. This legal principle protects individuals against arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, ensuring that a person's liberties are not infringed without just cause and due process.

In the context of the other options, a mediation process refers to an alternative dispute resolution method, which is quite different from habeas corpus. A written statement of facts pertains to pleadings or complaints in legal cases, also not connected to the principles of habeas corpus. The procedure for appealing a decision involves challenging the outcome of a legal ruling in a higher court, which further distinguishes it from the immediate relief sought through a habeas corpus action aimed at resolving issues of unlawful detention directly. Thus, the emphasis on securing the release from unlawful detention distinctly characterizes the meaning of 'habeas corpus' and is the correct interpretation.