Lenience (8)

I believe the answer is:

clemency

'lenience' is the definition.
(clemency is a kind of lenience)

This is the entire clue.

(Other definitions for clemency that I've seen before include "Mercifulness" , "The quality of mercy" , "Quality of being merciful" , "Mercy, lenience" , "Leniency and compassion towards offenders" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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