The Leveller: Restoring Power at the Point of Signature

“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

Using the Leveller on Desktop (PDF Upload)

The same principles apply when using the online version:

  1. Upload your contract (PDF format)
  2. Run the analysis
  3. Review insights, risks, and questions
  4. Download your 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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