Crossword Genius

Backing magistrate? About time to show conditions? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

terms

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'conditions?' is the definition.
(I know this)

'backing magistrate? about time to show' is the wordplay.
'backing' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'magistrate?' becomes 'sm' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'about' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'to show' becomes 'ER' (US medical drama).
'sm' in reverse letter order is 'ms'.
't'+'er'='ter'
'ms' put after 'ter' is 'TERMS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for terms that I've seen before include "Conditions, for school periods?" , "Conditions (contract)" , "Times" , "Parts of the academic year" , "Academic periods" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app