Legal and risk / Free editable template

Contract approval authority ladder template

A contract approval matrix sets who must approve a contract before it is signed. This board draws it as a staircase: each step up in value adds a signer, from the budget holder for small contracts to the board for anything over one million pounds. A checklist shows the risk triggers that send any contract to legal whatever its value, with a worked example of a software renewal.

This is a planning example, not legal advice. Check your own policies, advisers and the local rules that apply to you.

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Preview the contract approval authority ladder

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Contract approval authority ladder example showing five value tiers with cumulative signers, risk triggers for legal review, a worked approval example
Everything in this example is editable. Replace the labels, move the shapes and adapt the layout to your work.

How to use this template

  1. Set the value tiers

    Choose thresholds that match your delegation of authority and decide who must sign at each tier.

  2. Add the risk triggers

    List the terms that need legal review whatever the value, such as unusual liability caps, personal data or foreign law.

  3. Test it with real contracts

    Run a few recent contracts through the ladder. If most end up at the top, your thresholds are too low.

Questions about this template

How do I set my own approval limits?

Edit the value bands on each step of the ladder and the approvers listed under them, then update the turnaround targets to match.

Do I need an account to use it?

No. Open the template and edit it in your browser. Your work saves on this device. An account is optional if you want to sync your workspace.

Can I export the finished diagram?

Yes. Use Export in the editor to save a PNG, SVG or PDF, or download an editable .epicdraw backup.

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