Planned to put name to legal document which should cover them (8)
I believe the answer is:
designed
'planned' is the definition.
('design' can be a synonym of 'plan')
'put name to legal document which should cover them' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'put' could be 'sign' (signing is a kind of putting) and 'sign' is found within the answer.
'name' could be 'dee' and 'dee' is found in the leftover letters.
A single letter 'd' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for designed that I've seen before include "Planned or created" , "Conceived and drew something" , "Planned or conceived for a specific purpose" , "Make a drawing or blueprint" , "Meant" .)