Courtroom entry (4)
I believe the answer is:
plea
'courtroom entry' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for plea that I've seen before include "Earnest appeal" , "Dispute" , "Answer made by the accused to the charge" , "(and 14) Enjoyment - gratification" , "Leap (anag.)" .)