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The Leveller: Restoring Power at the Point of Signature
- Steve Conley
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
“All planning begins with what is already present.”
The Leveller starts with the contract in your hand.
Every day, people are asked to sign agreements they don’t fully understand.
Not because they lack intelligence. But because the system is designed that way.
Contracts are long
Language is complex
Time pressure is real
And the other side knows exactly what they’re doing
This is where harm begins—not after the fact, but at the point of signature.
The Leveller changes that moment.
What the Leveller Does
The Leveller is a simple, accessible tool that allows you to:
Analyse contracts in real time
Identify hidden risks and power imbalances
Surface red flags before you sign
Ask better questions
Make informed, confident decisions
It is not legal advice. It is something more fundamental:
A restoration of decision-making power.
How to Use the Leveller (Mobile App)
Using the Leveller on your phone is designed to be quick, intuitive, and usable in the moment—even in a pressured environment like a showroom or sales meeting.
Step 1: Open the Get SAFE App
Navigate to:
Services → The Leveller
Step 2: Select Contract Type (Optional)
You can choose a contract category or proceed with “Other.”
Step 3: Scan the Contract
Use your phone camera to take photos of each page.
Capture all pages clearly
The app will store them as thumbnails
This may take a minute or two depending on length
As demonstrated in your walkthrough, the time taken to scan is still significantly less than trying to read and interpret the contract under pressure
Step 4: Click “Level the Playing Field”
This is where the shift happens.
The Leveller will:
Analyse the document
Identify structural imbalances
Highlight risks and obligations
Step 5: Review the Results
You’ll receive a structured output including:
1. A Fairness Score
Example from your demo:
2 out of 100 → Extremely poor, highly imbalanced
2. Key Findings
Clear, plain-language insights such as:
Excessive rights granted
Upfront non-refundable fees
Disproportionate financial risk
3. Red Flags
The system highlights:
Hidden costs
One-sided obligations
Risk transfer mechanisms
4. Questions to Ask
This is critical.
The Leveller doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong—it helps you respond.
For example:
“What specific service justifies this fee?”
5. Strategic Guidance
You’ll receive practical suggestions such as:
Consider alternatives
Negotiate terms
Reduce exposure
Step 6: Download Your Report
You can generate a PDF report:
For later review
For sharing with others
For building evidence if needed
Download the final report:
Using the Leveller on Desktop (PDF Upload)
The same principles apply when using the online version:
Upload your contract (PDF format)
Run the analysis
Review insights, risks, and questions
Download your report
Download the final report:
This is ideal when:
You already have digital documents
You want a more detailed review environment
You’re working through multiple agreements
What the Leveller Reveals (Real Example)
In our demonstration, the Leveller analysed a publishing contract and identified:
Upfront fees paid by the author
Mandatory purchase of books
Transfer of worldwide rights for full copyright term
Financial risk placed almost entirely on the author
Its conclusion:
The agreement was “extremely unbalanced… heavily skewed against the author with exploitative terms”
This is not unusual.
It is systemic.
Why This Matters
The Leveller is not just a tool.
It is a shift in where power sits.
Traditionally:
The institution holds the knowledge
The consumer carries the risk
With the Leveller:
The individual regains visibility
The imbalance is exposed
The decision becomes conscious
This is agency in action.
From Reaction to Prevention
Most financial harm is dealt with after the event.
Complaints. Claims. Regret.
The Leveller moves the line upstream:
From recovery → to prevention
You don’t need to become an expert.You just need to see clearly before you sign.
Where This Fits in the AoLP Framework
Within the GAME Plan:
Goals → What are you trying to achieve?
Actions → What decisions are you making?
Means → What tools and contracts are you using?
Execution → What actually happens in reality?
The Leveller sits firmly in Means.
It ensures that the structures you engage with are aligned with your goals—not working against them.
A Simple Thought
Imagine this scenario:
You’re in a showroom.A contract is placed in front of you.The salesperson is waiting.
Instead of guessing…
You take out your phone.Scan the document.Run the Leveller.
Two minutes later:
You see the risks
You understand the structure
You ask informed questions
And suddenly…
The pressure shifts.
Final Reflection
The Leveller does not replace judgement.
It restores it.
In a world where complexity has been used to extract value,this is a tool designed to return clarity to the individual.
Not after harm.
But before it happens.
Ready to see what’s really in your contract?
Take a closer look at how the Leveller works and try it for yourself: https://www.get-safe.org.uk/the-leveller-explained
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