# Contract Fast-Track Checklist for Legal Handoffs

> The handoff checklist that gets contracts through legal review in days instead of weeks, without skipping a required approval - built for reps who need speed and legal teams who need completeness.

Free checklist for sales managers. Topic: [Negotiation & Closing](https://www.peerlab.ai/library/topic/negotiation-closing/). Published by PeerLab in the [Sales Enablement Resource Library](https://www.peerlab.ai/library/). Source: https://www.peerlab.ai/library/contract-fast-track-checklist-legal-handoffs/

## How to use it

Complete the pre-handoff packet before sending anything to legal, use the SLA tier table to set buyer expectations upfront, and pull from the pre-approved fallback positions on common redlines instead of waiting on a fresh legal sign-off each time.

## What's inside

- Pre-handoff packet checklist for reps
- Deal terms summary sheet fields
- Non-standard terms flagging checklist
- Approval chain verification checklist
- Legal SLA tiers by deal complexity
- Redline turnaround tracking table
- Signature routing checklist
- Common redline categories with pre-approved fallback positions

## Pre-handoff packet (rep must complete before sending to legal - incomplete packets go to the back of the queue)

- [ ] Deal Terms Summary Sheet completed in full (below)
- [ ] Buyer's paper attached, if custom paper is being used, with redlines already visible
- [ ] Approved pricing confirmed against the Discount Approval Matrix, with sign-off attached
- [ ] Security questionnaire status noted (complete / in progress / not started)
- [ ] Any prior verbal commitments to the buyer on terms flagged explicitly
- [ ] Target signature date stated, with the reason for that date (fiscal deadline, budget expiry, etc.)

## Deal terms summary sheet

- Account name: ______________
- Contract value and term length: ______________
- Payment terms (upfront / quarterly / net-30, etc.): ______________
- Whose paper (ours / theirs): ______________
- Auto-renewal: Y/N, notice period: ______________
- Discount % and approval reference: ______________
- Non-standard terms requested by buyer (list all, even minor ones): ______________
- Data processing agreement required: Y/N
- Target signature date and reason: ______________

## Non-standard terms flagging checklist (flag any that apply, do not let these surface for the first time mid-redline)

- [ ] Liability cap above/below standard
- [ ] Indemnification beyond standard IP indemnity
- [ ] Termination for convenience
- [ ] Most-favored-nation / price-parity clause
- [ ] Non-standard data residency or processing terms
- [ ] Custom SLA or uptime commitment
- [ ] Exclusivity or non-compete language

## Approval chain verification

- [ ] Pricing sign-off matches the Discount Approval Matrix tier for this deal size
- [ ] Any non-standard term above has a named internal approver, not just 'legal will handle it'
- [ ] Deal desk has been looped in if 2+ non-standard terms are flagged

## Legal SLA tiers (set expectations with the buyer using these, not guesses)

| Complexity | Definition | Target turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Our paper, no non-standard terms, standard pricing | 1-2 business days |
| Moderate | Our paper with 1-2 non-standard terms, or buyer's paper with minor redlines | 3-5 business days |
| Complex | Buyer's paper, 3+ non-standard terms, or first-time buyer paper type | 5-10 business days |

## Redline turnaround tracking

| Round | Sent date | Returned date | Business days elapsed | Open issues remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | | | |
| 2 | | | | |
| 3 | | | | |

If any single round exceeds the SLA tier target by more than 2 business days, escalate to deal desk rather than waiting silently.

## Signature routing checklist

- [ ] Final version confirmed as the version both signatories are looking at (version number/date stamped)
- [ ] Correct signatory identified on buyer side (title matches signing authority, not just the champion)
- [ ] Internal signatory confirmed and available before sending for signature
- [ ] Countersignature deadline communicated to buyer
- [ ] Fully executed copy filed and confirmed received by both sides

## Common redline categories with pre-approved fallback positions

| Redline requested | Standard position | Pre-approved fallback |
|---|---|---|
| Liability cap increase | Capped at 12 months' fees | Cap at 24 months' fees for enterprise segment only |
| Uncapped indemnification | IP indemnity only, capped | Add data-breach indemnity, still capped |
| Termination for convenience | Not offered | Offered with 90-day notice + fee for early termination |
| Auto-renewal removal | Standard auto-renew | 60-day opt-out notice window instead of full removal |