Pondering case for discharge and release (12)

I believe the answer is:

deliberation

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'pondering case' is the definition.
'deliberation' can be an answer for 'pondering' (thesaurus). I am not certain of the 'case' bit.

'for discharge and release' is the wordplay.
'for discharge' becomes 'de' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'release' becomes 'liberation' (synonyms).
'de'+'liberation'='DELIBERATION'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for deliberation that I've seen before include "decision-making process" , "Considering" , "circumspection?" , "Study" , "discussion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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