Contract execution is the formal signing of a contract by all parties, transforming a negotiated draft into a binding agreement. Modern execution typically uses electronic signature, but the discipline is the same: authorized signatories, correct final version, and proper archival.
The e-signature standard
Electronic signatures are legally binding in almost every jurisdiction under eIDAS (EU) and comparable US frameworks. Standard tools include DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and integrated e-signature within CLMs.
The archival requirement
The executed version - not a working draft - is the legally operative document. Ensuring the executed version lands in the contract repository with correct metadata is a specific integration between the e-signature platform and the repository.
