The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word HEARING
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
H
E
A
R
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result HEARING
- Legal process taking a toll on fellow
- Ambassador leads a consortium in enquiry
- Hard having explosion of rage in audition
- Jazz pianist lacking second sense
- Judicial investigation
- Legal process shows sense
- Judicial process making sense
- Male circle welcoming a trial
- Hurrying to secure European trial
- Trial may be exhausting, needing hotel for women
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "enquiry" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case enquiry = hearing.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HEARING mean?
HEARING verb- (stative) To perceive sounds through the ear.
- (stative) To perceive (a sound, or something producing a sound) with the ear, to recognize (something) in an auditory way.
- To exercise this faculty intentionally; to listen to.
- To listen favourably to; to grant (a request etc.).
- To receive information about; to come to learn of.
- (with from) To be contacted by.
- To listen to (a person, case) in a court of law; to try.
- To sympathize with; to understand the feelings or opinion of.
- The sense used to perceive sound.
- The act by which something is heard.
- A proceeding at which discussions are heard.
- A legal procedure done before a judge, without a jury, as with an evidentiary hearing.
- A scolding.
- Able to hear.