Former barrister killing time sees model (8)
I believe the answer is:
exemplar
'model' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'former barrister killing time' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'ex'.
'barrister' becomes 'templar' (barrister belonging to the Inner or Middle Temple).
'killing' suggests deleting specific letters.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'templar' with 't' taken out is 'emplar'.
'ex'+'emplar'='EXEMPLAR'
'sees' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for exemplar that I've seen before include "A model or instance" , "A good model or type" , "Model to be followed" , "Ideal model" , "Something serving as an appropriate model" .)