| DUEDILIGENCE | Law: reasonable steps taken by a person to avoid committing a tort (3,9) |
| ESCAPEMECHANISM | That which enables a person to avoid acknowledging unpleasant realities (6,9) |
| SAMBA | Steps taken by a doctor in South America (5) |
| SITONTHEFENCE | Delay dealing with the criminal to avoid committing oneself |
| PEANUT | Empty plate taken by a person that's enthusiastic for snack food (6) |
| EPSTEIN | False step taken by a German sculptor |
| NUDNIK | Person to avoid at a party |
| NARC | Person to avoid dealing with? |
| PITTERPATTER | Steps taken, by the sound of it, as PM and Queen talk (6-6) |
| IMMORALITIES | Torts |
| HEADGEAR | Avoid committing oneself to a run, blocking a bowler perhaps |
| SUE | Respond to a tort, perhaps |
| BETS | Avoid committing yourself, particularly in relation to boundary or divisional plants in a row! (7,4,4) |
| HEDGING | Avoid committing yourself, particularly in relation to boundary or divisional plants in a row! (7,4,4) |
| YOUR | Avoid committing yourself, particularly in relation to boundary or divisional plants in a row! (7,4,4) |
| VENUE | Locality, as of a tort |
| SUING | Pressing a tort |
| CIVILSUIT | Result of a tort, perhaps |
| INSURER | Entity providing a tort case defense, often |
| HEDGEONESBETS | Avoid committing oneself in a difficult situation (5,4,4) |
