The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 plus 4 letter word DECREE NISI
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
E
C
R
E
E
N
I
S
I
More clues leading to the result DECREE NISI
- Fiat for the time being desire nice motoring
- Order for the match to be abandoned
- Court order one in residence to be moved
- Side with niece, furious about resistance to part of divorce proceedings
- Upset, I cede reins – to spouse after this?
- Almost the end of the match?
- Ruling is in trouble, but it’s not absolute
- Separation agreement last month suffering from stress about borders of Eire and N Ireland
- Curiously desire nice divorce
- A disordered residence, and I court order
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "but it’s not absolute" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case but it’s not absolute = decree nisi.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.