Official procedure (8)
I believe the answer is:
protocol
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">official procedure</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for protocol that I've seen before include "Approved procedure" , "Draft treaty" , "Formalities" , "Procedure or system of rules" , "Code of correct conduct" .)