Pays court hearing to provide lower settlements if name is withheld (7)

I believe the answer is:

kowtows

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'pays' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for kowtows that I've seen before include "Bows obsequiously" , "cringes" , "Try to gain favour by cringing or flattering" , "Grovels" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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