Performs tricky ascent (6)
I believe the answer is:
enacts
'performs' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'tricky ascent' is the wordplay.
'tricky' is an anagram indicator.
'ascent' with letters rearranged gives 'ENACTS'.
(Other definitions for enacts that I've seen before include "Brings into law" , "Appears" , "Makes into law" , "Establishes by law" , "Turns a bill into law" .)