Bar with some judges toping (5)
I believe the answer is:
estop
'bar' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'with some judges toping' is the wordplay.
'with' indicates a hidden word.
'ESTOP' is hidden within 'some judges toping'.
(Other definitions for estop that I've seen before include "Legally bar" , "Preclude certain evidence (at law) - bar (archaic)" , "Legally prevent" , "lawyer's bar" , "term in law" .)