Absolve former partner before single judge (9)
I believe the answer is:
exonerate
'absolve' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'former partner before single judge' is the wordplay.
'former partner' becomes 'ex' (an ex-partner).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'single' becomes 'one' (a single thing - only one).
'judge' becomes 'rate' (rating is a kind of judging).
'ex'+'one'+'rate'='EXONERATE'
(Other definitions for exonerate that I've seen before include "Clear of blame" , "Pronounce not guilty of a crime" , "Excuse" , "Discharge" , "Officially absolve from blame" .)