signings

Signings refer to the act of signing a document, or of a person signing a document on behalf of a party, to indicate consent, authentication, or acknowledgment. Signatures can be written by hand or produced electronically, and both forms can create or confirm a binding obligation depending on the document and the governing law. Digital signatures use cryptographic methods to verify identity and protect the integrity of the agreement, and many jurisdictions treat compliant digital signatures as legally equivalent to handwritten ones.

In legal and commercial practice, signings are central to forming contracts and approving terms. They appear in employment agreements, sales and service contracts, leases, corporate resolutions, financial instruments, and regulatory filings. A signing generally includes the names of the parties, the date, a description of the terms, and the signatures of the parties or their authorized representatives. Depending on the context, witnesses or notarial seals may be involved to enhance evidentiary weight or to fulfill regulatory requirements.

The process typically involves negotiation, drafting, review, execution, and filing or archiving. For electronic signings, secure platforms, authentication, and audit trails are common features to ensure authenticity and prevent tampering. Jurisdictional frameworks such as the United States’ UETA and ESIGN Acts, or the European Union’s eIDAS Regulation, provide criteria under which electronic signatures are legally recognized.

Signings can also refer to signing ceremonies in sports or entertainment, where a contract with a club, label, or organization is announced publicly. In addition to binding documents, autograph signings are public events where individuals obtain a signature on memorabilia, which are not legally binding.