Old judge previously rejected (7)
I believe the answer is:
refused
'rejected' is the definition.
('refuse' can be a synonym of 'reject')
'old judge previously' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'used' (as in used or second-hand items).
'judge' becomes 'ref' (referee).
'previously' says to put letters next to each other.
'used' after 'ref' is 'REFUSED'.
(Other definitions for refused that I've seen before include "turned down appeal" , "Said no (7)" , "Not accepted" , "Was unwilling to accept" , "Declined, rejected" .)