Cast about for laws (4)
I believe the answer is:
acts
'for laws' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'cast about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates an anagram.
'cast' anagrammed gives 'ACTS'.
(Other definitions for acts that I've seen before include "Pretends" , "Follower of John" , "NT book; laws" , "exerts influence" , "Behaves like thespian" .)