Some people assume they are heard in court (5)
I believe the answer is:
pleas
'heard in court' is the definition.
Although both the answer and 'court' are nouns, they are not in the same form of the noun.
'some people assume they' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some parts of the word are used).
'PLEAS' is hidden within 'people assume they'.
'are' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pleas that I've seen before include "Entreats" , "Urgent entreaties" , "Excuses, pretexts" .)