Bitter judge ultimately dealt spectacular conclusion (5-7)
I believe the answer is:
heart-rending
'bitter' is the definition.
(both can mean distressing)
'judge ultimately dealt spectacular conclusion' is the wordplay.
'judge' becomes 'hear' (as in to hear a court case).
'ultimately' indicates one should take the final letters.
'conclusion' becomes 'ending' (synonyms).
The last letters of 'dealt spectacular' are 'tr'.
'hear'+'tr'+'ending'='HEART-RENDING'
(Other definitions for heart-rending that I've seen before include "moving" , "Agonisingly sad" , "Greatly distressing" , "Causing great sadness or distress" , "Poignant" .)