Terms of Service

Please read these terms carefully before using the Open Asset Recovery Database.

Effective Date: 1 January 2025  |  Last Updated: 12 July 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Open Asset Recovery Database ("OARD", "the Platform", "we", "us", or "our"), operated by the African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development ("the African Center"). By registering for or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

1. About the Platform

OARD is a continuously updated research database documenting asset recovery cases, laws, judgements, and asset-sharing agreements across all 54 African countries from the year 2000 to the present day. The Platform is made available for research, policy analysis, legal reference, and educational purposes.

2. Eligibility and Registration

You must be at least 18 years of age to register for an account. By creating an account, you represent that the information you provide is accurate, current, and complete, and that you will maintain the accuracy of that information. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account and for keeping your login credentials confidential.

3. Permitted Use

You may use OARD solely for lawful purposes including:

  • Academic and policy research on asset recovery in Africa.
  • Legal reference and professional due diligence.
  • Advocacy and public-interest journalism.
  • Institutional capacity building and training.

You must not use the Platform in any way that is unlawful, harmful, or that misrepresents the source or context of the information provided.

4. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

  • Reproduce, distribute, or commercialise Platform content without prior written authorisation from the African Center.
  • Scrape, crawl, or systematically download data from the Platform by automated means.
  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform, its servers, or its databases.
  • Introduce malicious code, viruses, or any material that is technically harmful.
  • Use the Platform to harass, defame, or harm any individual or entity.
  • Misrepresent OARD data in publications or communications.
5. Subscriptions and Access Tiers

OARD offers a free trial tier and paid subscription plans. Subscription fees, durations, and included features are described on the Subscription Plans page. Subscription payments are non-refundable except where required by applicable law. The African Center reserves the right to modify subscription pricing with reasonable prior notice to existing subscribers.

6. Intellectual Property

All content on OARD — including case records, legal summaries, judgement abstracts, agreement documents, and compiled datasets — is the intellectual property of the African Center or is used with permission. Nothing in these Terms transfers any ownership rights to you. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to access and use the content for the permitted purposes described in Section 3.

7. Accuracy of Information

The African Center takes reasonable care to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information on OARD. However, the Platform is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The African Center makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, or fitness for a particular purpose of any content on the Platform. Users should independently verify information before relying on it for legal or professional decisions.

8. Third-Party Content

The Platform may include links to or documents from third-party sources. The African Center does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy, legality, or content of such external sources.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the African Center and its officers, employees, and partners shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Platform, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

10. Suspension and Termination

The African Center reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time if you breach these Terms or if we have reasonable grounds to believe your use of the Platform is harmful or unauthorised. You may close your account at any time by contacting us at info@openassetrecovery.org.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may revise these Terms from time to time. We will notify registered users of material changes by email or by a notice on the Platform. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws applicable to the African Center's principal place of operation. Any disputes shall be resolved through good-faith negotiation, and if unresolved, through binding arbitration or competent courts of jurisdiction.

13. Contact

Questions or concerns about these Terms should be directed to:
African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development
Email: info@openassetrecovery.org
Website: openassetrecovery.org

See also: Privacy Policy

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