Appeal when only half get contract (8)
I believe the answer is:
entreaty
'appeal' is the definition.
(I know that appeal can be written as entreaty)
'when only half get contract' is the wordplay.
'only half' indicates taking half.
'get' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'contract' becomes 'treaty' (I've seen this before).
'when' cut in half is 'en'.
'en'+'treaty'='ENTREATY'
(Other definitions for entreaty that I've seen before include "Teeny rat (anag.)" , "Earnest plea" , "An earnest or emotional request" , "application for assistance" , "Earnest or urgent request" .)