Follow directions and engage in litigation (5)
I believe the answer is:
ensue
'follow' is the definition.
(ensue can mean to follow or happen as a result)
'directions and engage in litigation' is the wordplay.
'directions' becomes 'en' (east and north).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'engage in litigation' becomes 'sue' (I've seen this in another clue).
'en'+'sue'='ENSUE'
(Other definitions for ensue that I've seen before include "Come next" , "Happen as a result, follow ( 5)" , "Befall" , "Come along afterwards" , "Arise" .)