Even-handed sailor left in East? Absolutely (9)
I believe the answer is:
equitable
'even-handed' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'sailor left in east? absolutely' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'east?' becomes 'e' ('E' can be a synonym of 'east').
'absolutely' becomes 'quite' (I've seen this in another clue).
'ab'+'l'='abl'
'e'+'quite'='equite'
'abl' inserted into 'equite' is 'EQUITABLE'.
(Other definitions for equitable that I've seen before include "Fair, impartial" , "Even-handed" , "Fair to all parties" .)