Libel judge may hear it but it's usually shelved (8)
I believe the answer is:
bookcase
'libel' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bookcase that I've seen before include "Article of furniture" , "rack" , "Reading matter cabinet" , "It will be shelved" , "Item of furniture" .)