Agreements with a twist in the tail — the work of a scholar? (8)
I believe the answer is:
treatise
'work of a scholar?' is the definition.
'treatise' can be an answer for 'work' (I have seen 'formal work' mean 'treatise' so perhaps 'work' could also mean 'treatise'). I am not sure about the 'of a scholar?' bit.
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for treatise that I've seen before include "Academic composition" , "Disquisition" , "Learned work on particular subject" , "Written composition" , "Learned work formally dealing with a subject" .)