Submissions

Author Guidelines

Manuscript Template

Authors must use the official manuscript template for consistency in formatting. Download the template here.

Submission Process

Submissions must be made through AARDR’s online submission platform. First-time users need to register before submitting. Registered authors can log in and follow the guided submission process. For any assistance, contact astaresearchcenter@gmail.com.

General Manuscript Requirements

• The manuscript must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
• Language: English and French
• File format: Microsoft Word or OpenOffice
• Word limit: 5,000 – 10,000 words (including footnotes)
• Formatting:
• Font: Gill Sans MT, 12 pt
• Spacing: Single-spaced
• Emphasis: Italics for foreign terms; avoid underlining
• Figures & Tables: Insert them within the text, not at the end

Manuscript Structure

1. Title

• Should not exceed 16 words and must be in English.
• Format: Centre-aligned, bold, uppercase, Gill Sans MT, 14 pt.

2. Author(s) Information

• Author Names: First Author¹*, Second Author², Third Author³ [Gill Sans MT, 12, Regular]
• Affiliation:
  ¹²Department, University, City, Country [Gill Sans MT, 10, Regular]
  ³Department, University, City, Country [Gill Sans MT, 10, Regular]

• Corresponding Author: Indicate with an asterisk (*) and provide email addresses in a footnote.

3. Abstract and Keywords (MUST BE IN ENGLISH)

• Word count: 200-300 words.
• Structure: Background, objectives, methodology, findings, and conclusion.
• Keywords: 3-5 words relevant to the study.
• Format: Justified, single-spaced, Gill Sans MT, 10 pt.

4. Introduction
   This section provides:

• Research Background
• Problem Statement
• Research Objectives
• Literature Review and State-of-the-Art
• Theoretical & Methodological Approach
  Citations should use footnotes. Example:
  ¹David Gerber, Global Competition: Law, Markets, and Globalization (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010), 56.

5. Finding and Analysis
   A detailed analysis of findings should be presented. The section may include subsections such as:
   5.1. Subsection Title
       5.1.1. Sub-subsection Title
       5.1.2. Sub-subsection Title
   5.2. Subsection Title
       5.2.1. Sub-subsection Title
       5.2.2. Sub-subsection Title

6. Conclusion (and Recommendations)
   Summarise key findings and address the research question. If applicable, recommendations for further research or policy implications may be included.

7. References
   AARDR follows the Chicago Manual of Style, 17^th Edition (Full-note).
   
   The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition (Full-note) can be accessed through the following website link
   chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html
   
   All citations in the text must appear in the bibliography and vice versa.
   
   
   

   Reference Formatting Guidelines

   Books

   Bibliography:

   Gerber, David. Global Competition: Law, Markets, and Globalization. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.

   Footnote:

   ¹David Gerber, Global Competition: Law, Markets, and Globalization (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010), 56.

    

   Journal Articles

   Bibliography:

   Mutunga, Willy. “Judicial Reform in Africa: A Case Study of Kenya.” African Journal of Legal Studies 9, no. 2 (2016): 87-105.

   Footnote:

   ⁴Willy Mutunga, “Judicial Reform in Africa: A Case Study of Kenya,” African Journal of Legal Studies 9, no. 2 (2016): 90.

    

   Online Journal Articles

   Bibliography:

   Sharma, Rajeev, and Lena Tan. “ASEAN's Approach to Competition Law Harmonisation.” Asia-Pacific Law Review 28, no. 1 (2021): 45-67. doi: [insert DOI].

   Footnote:

   ⁵Rajeev Sharma and Lena Tan, “ASEAN's Approach to Competition Law Harmonisation,” Asia-Pacific Law Review 28, no. 1 (2021): 50. doi: [insert DOI].

    

   Theses or Dissertations

   Bibliography:

   Ouma, Henry. “Legal Pluralism in African Commercial Law: Between Customary and Statutory Approaches.” PhD diss., University of Cape Town, 2018.

   Footnote:

   ⁶Henry Ouma, “Legal Pluralism in African Commercial Law: Between Customary and Statutory Approaches” (PhD diss., University of Cape Town, 2018), 78.

    

   Legal Documents

   Bibliography:

   African Union. Competition Protocol of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

   Footnote:

   ⁷Competition Protocol of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Art. 12.

    

   Case Law

   Bibliography:

   ECOWAS Commission v. Republic of Ghana, ECOWAS Court of Justice, Judgment No. ECW/CCJ/JUD/02/22 (2022).

   Footnote:

   ⁸ECOWAS Commission v. Republic of Ghana, ECOWAS Court of Justice, Judgment No. ECW/CCJ/JUD/02/22 (2022), para 1.

    

   Website Content

   Bibliography:

   ASEAN Competition Commission. “Competition Policy in ASEAN.” Accessed on [date], available at [insert link].

   Footnote:

   ⁹ASEAN Competition Commission, “Competition Policy in ASEAN,” accessed on [date], available at [insert link].

    

   Cross-Referencing in Footnotes

   • Ibid. – Used for consecutive citations of the same source.

   Example:
   ¹⁰David Gerber, Global Competition: Law, Markets, and Globalization (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010), 60.
   ¹¹Ibid.

   • Op. cit. – Used when referring to a previously cited source that is not immediately preceding.

   Example:
   ¹²Gerber, op. cit., 72.

   • Loc. cit. – Used when citing the same page of a previously referenced work.

   Example:
   ¹³Gerber, loc. cit.

AI Use Policy

The Asia Africa Regulatory Development Review (AARDR) enforces a strict prohibition on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools—such as ChatGPT, Bard, Claude, and similar systems—for producing or rewriting any part of a submitted manuscript. This includes, but is not limited to, drafting arguments, interpreting laws, summarizing literature, generating citations, or conducting analyses. Authorship must reflect genuine intellectual contribution by human researchers. Any manuscript suspected of containing AI-generated content will be subject to rigorous review and may be rejected or retracted if found in violation of this policy. 

That said, the journal acknowledges the legitimate role of non-generative, assistive AI tools that do not replace human reasoning or originality. Authors may use grammar- and style-enhancement platforms such as Grammarly, QuillBot (paraphrasing for clarity), or language editing software like Microsoft Editor or Hemingway App—provided these tools are used solely to improve language fluency, structure, or readability. Authors must ensure that such tools do not alter meaning or academic rigor and remain responsible for the final content. The editorial team reserves the right to request clarification on the use of such tools during the peer review process. Misuse of any AI system, including concealment of unauthorized use, will be treated as academic misconduct.