Written undertaking (pledge) template
One person promises another in writing to do or not do something, and the other accepts: what, until when, what follows. A sample contract you can read in full, edit in QuoteBill and sign online with a secure link.
Sample — review with a lawyer · Simple electronic signature with an audit trail
Who it is for
For a person or business that wants a promise in writing, such as to stop doing something, to pay or deliver by a date or to put something right, and for the person who gives that promise.
An undertaking binds only as far as the law that applies allows; promises about money, work, family or limits on someone’s rights may be void, and a minor needs a guardian.
What it covers
13 clauses, in this order. Each one is in the sample text below, and you can edit, remove or add clauses before you send.
1. Purpose
What the document is for: it records a promise one party gives and the other accepts, so that both know exactly what was promised.
2. Background
A blank to describe in neutral words what led to the promise, such as an event, a misunderstanding, a debt or an agreement, with the date.
3. The undertaking
A choice between doing and not doing, and a blank to say exactly what is promised, with dates, amounts or places.
4. Period
Blanks for when the promise starts and when it ends, on a date or once what was promised has been done.
5. Showing that it was kept
The promising side tells the other in writing or electronically when it is done, in a way set in a blank, and the other confirms receipt on request.
6. If the promise is not kept
A reminder and a further period of a set number of days, then performance or proven loss as far as the law allows. No fixed sum, fine or penalty is agreed.
7. What the undertaking does not cover
It takes away no right that cannot be waived and does not stop anyone from going to the authorities, seeking help, using a complaint or court procedure, or earning a living.
8. Statements of the Promising Party
The promising side confirms it read and understood the document, gives the promise freely and without threat or pressure, and is entitled to act for itself.
9. Persons who need a representative
If the promising side is a minor or cannot act alone, a parent, guardian or other legal representative also signs, and the promise binds only as the law allows.
10. Acceptance and what the Recipient gives
The Recipient accepts, and a blank says what, if anything, it promises in return. A promise it makes binds it in the same way.
11. Use of this document
The Recipient uses the document only for the stated purpose, keeps it confidential and passes it on only where the law requires or to enforce the promise.
12. Notices and changes
This document is the whole agreement on the undertaking. Changes need both sides’ written or electronic agreement, and notices go to the addresses stated.
13. Governing law and disputes
The law you name applies. The sides first try to settle a dispute in good faith, and otherwise the courts you name decide.
There is no price schedule: this agreement involves no payment.
The sample text
The whole sample, as QuoteBill starts it. Text in double square brackets, like [[10]], is a blank to fill in or check. A figure or time such as [[10]] that you leave as it is is used as shown when you send; a blank that needs your own words must be filled first. The clause text is written in English, Korean, Japanese and German; in other languages a contract starts in English for you to translate.
Read the sample text
Written Undertaking
Parties: Promising Party · Recipient
1. Purpose
This document records a promise that the Promising Party gives to the Recipient, and that the Recipient accepts, so that both know exactly what was promised.
2. Background
The promise is given because of: [[Describe in a neutral way what led to it, e.g. an event, a misunderstanding, a debt or an agreement, with the date]]
3. The undertaking
The Promising Party promises the Recipient to [[do / not do]] the following: [[Describe exactly what is promised, with any dates, amounts or places]]
4. Period
The undertaking applies from [[Date]] [[until a stated date / until what is promised has been done]].
5. Showing that it was kept
The Promising Party tells the Recipient in writing or in electronic form when what was promised has been done: [[when and how, or: not needed]]
On request, the Recipient confirms that it has received this notice.
6. If the promise is not kept
If the Promising Party does not keep the promise, the Recipient may remind it in writing or in electronic form and set a further period of [[7]] days. After that, the Recipient may claim performance or compensation for the loss it can show, as far as the law that applies allows.
No fixed sum, fine or penalty is agreed in this document.
7. What the undertaking does not cover
This document does not take away any right that the law gives the Promising Party and that cannot be waived. It does not stop the Promising Party from speaking to the authorities, from seeking advice or help, from using a complaint or court procedure, or from working and earning a living.
8. Statements of the Promising Party
The Promising Party confirms that it has read and understood this document, that it gives the promise of its own free will and without threat, force or pressure, and that it is entitled under the law that applies to act on its own behalf.
9. Persons who need a representative
If the Promising Party is a minor or cannot act alone under the law that applies, the parent, legal guardian or other legal representative also signs this document, and the promise binds only as far as that law allows.
10. Acceptance and what the Recipient gives
The Recipient accepts the undertaking. In return, the Recipient [[gives nothing / promises the following: details]].
If the Recipient has promised something, it is bound by that promise in the same way.
11. Use of this document
The Recipient uses this document only for the purpose stated under Background, keeps it confidential, and does not pass it on except where the law requires it or to enforce the promise. Personal data in it is handled as the law that applies requires.
12. Notices and changes
This document is the entire agreement between the parties on the undertaking. Changes are valid only if both parties agree to them in writing or in electronic form. Notices are given to the addresses stated for the parties, or to another address a party has notified.
13. Governing law and disputes
This agreement is governed by the law stated under Governing law. The parties will first try to settle any dispute in good faith. Otherwise the courts stated under Jurisdiction decide, unless mandatory law provides otherwise.
Governing law
[[Country or state whose law applies]]
Jurisdiction
[[Courts that decide disputes, e.g. the courts of your city]]
How to use it
Choose the template
Press the button to use this template. If you are not signed in, you first sign in or sign up for free and then come straight back to it.
Start a draft
The new-contract page opens with this template marked. Press its card to create a draft. Your company details fill in Party A, and you fill in the blanks, the other party and, where the template has one, the price schedule.
Send it for signature
You sign first, then send each signer a secure link and, by another route, an access code. Signers need no account.
Next steps
Your client opens the link on any device and needs no account. See what the signing looks like on the E-Contracts page, and read which kind of electronic signature is enough for which document.
What it is, and what it is not
QuoteBill creates a simple electronic signature with an audit trail. In the EU, the UK, the US and Korea a signature is not denied legal effect only because it is electronic, and in Japan most contracts need no particular form at all. What a simple electronic signature proves in a dispute depends on the evidence behind it, and some documents need another form.
It is not a qualified or advanced electronic signature, and QuoteBill does not verify who the signers are. It records the use of the link and access code you delivered, so anyone who has both can sign. The signature certificate lists every link issued and, for each action by the sender or a signer, its IP address and browser where they could be read.
Some documents need another form. Wills, many real-estate transfers, guarantees and some employment documents must, in some countries, be handwritten, notarised or signed with a qualified signature. The templates are samples, not legal advice: review them with a lawyer.
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