Reportedly fail to attend test and make case that seems invalid (8)
I believe the answer is:
mistrial
'make case that seems invalid' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'reportedly fail to attend test' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'fail to attend' becomes 'miss' (I've seen this in another clue).
'test' becomes 'trial' (synonyms).
'miss' sounds like 'mis'.
'mis'+'trial'='MISTRIAL'
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mistrial that I've seen before include "legal process going wrong" , "Court proceedings gone wrong" , "Invalid hearing" , "Inconclusive or invalid court proceedings" , "When it's declared, the case must be heard again" .)