Apt by rule to change in an honourable way (9)

I believe the answer is:

reputably

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'in an honourable way' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'apt by rule to change' is the wordplay.
'to change' is an anagram indicator.
'apt'+'by'+'rule'='aptbyrule'
'aptbyrule' anagrammed gives 'REPUTABLY'.

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I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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