Terms of Use (Terms of Service)

 

Document	Terms of Use
Applies to	All users of the Ivynovahire website, apps and services
Effective date	22 July 2026
Last updated	22 July 2026
Governing law	Federal Republic of Nigeria (see governing-law clause), with mandatory local-law rights of users preserved

 

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Ivynovahire website, mobile applications, and related services (together, the “Platform”). By registering for, accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

1. Who We Are

“Ivynovahire”, “we”, “us” or “our” refers to the registered business name “Ivynovahire”, under which its proprietor(s) carry on business. Ivynovahire is registered as a business name under Part E of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA) with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of Nigeria. A registered business name is not a separate legal entity distinct from its proprietor(s); the proprietor(s) are responsible for its obligations under these Terms.

2. Definitions

• “Platform” means the Ivynovahire website, applications and services.
• “User” means any person who accesses or uses the Platform, including Clients and Freelancers.
• “Client” means a User who posts jobs, buys services or engages Freelancers.
• “Freelancer” means an independent professional who offers or provides services through the Platform.
• “Engagement” means a contract for services between a Client and a Freelancer formed through the Platform.
• “Escrow” means funds a Client deposits and that we hold pending release under an Engagement.
• “Content” means any text, files, images, code, designs or other material submitted to the Platform.

3. Eligibility and Accounts

1. You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a legally binding contract to use the Platform.
2. You must provide accurate, current and complete registration information and keep it updated.
3. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account.
4. You may not create an account if you are barred from using the Platform under applicable law or a prior termination.
5. One person or entity may not maintain multiple accounts to evade fees, bans or platform rules.

4. Relationship of the Parties

Ivynovahire is a neutral venue and technology provider. We are not a party to Engagements between Clients and Freelancers, are not an employer or agent of any User, and do not supervise, direct or control the work performed. Freelancers are independent contractors, not our employees. Clients and Freelancers are solely responsible for their Engagements, including scope, deliverables, quality, timelines, and compliance with applicable laws (including tax, labour, immigration and licensing requirements in their own jurisdictions).

5. Platform Services and Fees

We provide the marketplace, communication tools, escrow, payment processing (through third-party partners), reputation systems and support. Ivynovahire is free to use: we do not charge Clients or Freelancers any service, listing, membership or commission fees. The only charge we make is a 10% withdrawal fee when a Freelancer withdraws earnings, as set out in the Fees, Payments & Escrow Policy, which forms part of these Terms. Third-party payment providers may apply their own separate charges outside our control.

6. Use of Escrow and Payments

1. Clients agree to fund Engagements into Escrow before work begins, unless a different arrangement is expressly offered on the Platform.
2. Funds are released to the Freelancer on the Client’s approval, on milestone completion, or as determined under the Dispute Resolution Policy.
3. We use licensed third-party payment providers to process payments and hold funds; your use of payments is also subject to their terms.
4. You authorise us and our payment partners to deduct the applicable withdrawal fee, taxes and any chargebacks from relevant balances.

7. Non-Circumvention

To keep the community safe and to preserve escrow protection, Users must conduct and pay for any Engagement introduced through the Platform via the Platform. For a period of twenty-four (24)] months after first introduction, Users must not solicit, accept or make payment outside the Platform for services with a party they met through it, except where the Platform expressly permits an opt-out for a fee. Circumvention may result in fees, suspension or termination and a claim for damages.

 

8. User Obligations and Prohibited Conduct

You agree to use the Platform lawfully and in good faith. Prohibited conduct is set out in the Acceptable Use Policy and Community Guidelines, and includes fraud, misrepresentation, harassment, infringement of intellectual property, circumvention, and posting unlawful or harmful content. Violations may lead to content removal, suspension or permanent termination.

9. Content and Licence

1. You retain ownership of Content you submit, subject to any transfer of work-product agreed in an Engagement (see the Intellectual Property Policy).
2. You grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce and display your Content solely to operate, provide and improve the Platform.
3. You represent that you have all rights necessary to submit your Content and that it does not infringe any third-party right or violate any law.

10. Intellectual Property in the Platform

The Platform, including its software, design, trademarks (including the Ivynovahire name and logo) and content we provide, is owned by or licensed to us and protected by intellectual property laws. We grant you a limited, revocable, non-transferable licence to use the Platform for its intended purpose. You may not copy, modify, reverse-engineer, scrape or create derivative works except as permitted by law.

11. Ratings, Reviews and Reputation

Reviews must be honest, based on a real Engagement, and free of unlawful, abusive or misleading content. We may remove reviews that breach our policies, but we do not guarantee the accuracy of any User rating or review and are not liable for them.

12. Suspension and Termination

1. You may close your account at any time, subject to completing open Engagements and settling balances.
2. We may suspend or terminate your access, with or without notice, if you breach these Terms or any policy, create risk to the community, or as required by law.
3. On termination, outstanding obligations (including fees, confidentiality, non-circumvention and dispute cooperation) survive.

13. Disclaimers

The Platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted or error-free, or endorse or guarantee the identity, conduct, skills or work of any User.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, revenue, data or goodwill, arising from your use of the Platform. Our aggregate liability for any claim will not exceed the greater of (a) the total fees (including withdrawal fees) you paid to us in the six (6) months before the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) [USD 100 / local-currency equivalent]. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded by law.

15. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ivynovahire and its proprietor(s), personnel and partners from claims, losses and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of the Platform, your Content, your Engagements, or your breach of these Terms or applicable law.

16. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules, and subject to any mandatory consumer-protection rights available to you in your country of residence. Disputes between you and us that are not resolved informally will be referred to arbitration under the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, conducted in English by a sole arbitrator, unless applicable law requires otherwise. Disputes between Users are handled under the Dispute Resolution Policy.

17. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will post the updated Terms with a new effective date and, for material changes, provide reasonable notice. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

18. Miscellaneous

• Entire agreement: These Terms and referenced policies are the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Platform.
• Severability: If any provision is unenforceable, the rest remains in effect.
• No waiver: Our failure to enforce a right is not a waiver.
• Assignment: You may not assign these Terms without our consent; we may assign them in connection with a sale or reorganisation of the business.
• Notices: We may give notices via the Platform or your registered email.