Yes, this is a bit of a mess. I agree that there's a clear answer to the clued labelled 14d but which only fits if one erases the bar above the square numbered 15 and renumbers the third square of 13a as 14. Then 14d fits neatly as a 7-letter word. If one makes the corresponding deletion of a bar to allow 7 letters for 20d then it might make more sense.
Ahearer, thanks for untangling the 14 D tangle. I've got that one sorted and solved. All that's left is 20D - I've got possibilities but haven't parsed them yet.
Aside from all the confusion mentione I am struggling with 18d: I assume that this is the three-worder, possibly 4,2,4; I have only one fit for the second 4 but can make no sense of any overall answer. Any HINT please?