The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word JUDGE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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More clues leading to the result JUDGE
- Critically examine subject of Hardy novel about Diggory’s heart
- Hardy hero bearing good figure in court
- Try getting 500 aboard vessel before last of tide
- Beak of gannet’s opening in book
- Justice for one radio presenter pulled up outside university
- Book of the Bible cut short by magistrate
- Daughter in jail beginning to expect justice
Buddy explains!

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 JUDGE mean?
JUDGE noun- A public official whose duty it is to administer the law, especially by presiding over trials and rendering judgments; a justice.
- A person who decides the fate of someone or something that has been called into question.
- A person officiating at a sports event or similar.
- A person who evaluates something or forms an opinion.
- To sit in judgment on; to pass sentence on.
- To sit in judgment, to act as judge.
- To form an opinion on.
- To arbitrate; to pass opinion on something, especially to settle a dispute etc.
- To have as an opinion; to consider, suppose.
- To form an opinion; to infer.
- To criticize or label another person or thing.