Crossword Genius

Relevant language, close to legalese (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

germane

'relevant' is the definition.
(germane can mean relevant or pertinent)

'language close to legalese' is the wordplay.
'language' becomes 'german' (German is a language).
'close to' suggests the final letters (the 'close' to the word).
The final letter of 'legalese' is 'e'.
'german'+'e'='GERMANE'

(Other definitions for germane that I've seen before include "Material" , "Apposite" , "apt" , "Relevant to current topic" , "Relevant, to the point" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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