Dread having to take part in law exams (3)
I believe the answer is:
awe
'dread' is the definition.
(awe can mean a feeling of dread)
'to take part in law exams' is the wordplay.
'to take part in' indicates a hidden word.
'AWE' is hidden within 'law exams'.
'having' is the link.
(Other definitions for awe that I've seen before include "Feeling of wonder or admiration" , "Wonderment" , "It makes you wonder" , "Fear/wonder feeling" , "Respect combined with fear or wonder" .)