Where the four requests stand
4 requests outside the fixed fee Transition services agreement held at $4,200 Approval needed by Oct 8
Every request since August that falls outside the fixed fee for Solenne's acquisition of Corran Mill Bakery, with its estimate and Henrik Dahlberg's decision, and the one request still waiting for approval: the transition services agreement, held at $4,200 with no specialist time committed. Prepared by the assistant to the engagement partner at Ashcombe Varley LLP for Solenne's general counsel and for Henrik Dahlberg, chief financial officer. Imogen Varley, partner, decides legal need, conflicts, scope and the estimate. Henrik decides whether the work begins. Status on Monday, September 28, 2026; issued Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Two requests were accepted as changes, one was declined as unnecessary and one is at scope review. The one at scope review is the transition services agreement that the seller asked for.
The terms these requests sit outside
- Engagement model
- Fixed fee for the acquisition, with specialist work estimated separately.
- What the fixed fee covers
- The purchase agreement, diligence, financing and consents, and employment and leases, as agreed in the engagement letter.
- What falls outside
- Work that needs outside counsel, a new document or added negotiation beyond the agreed workstreams.
- Who decides
- Imogen Varley decides legal need, scope and the estimate. Henrik Dahlberg approves or declines each estimate before the work begins.
The four requests
| Request | Raised | Scope review | Estimate | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment counsel review | Aug 31 | Outside the fixed fee, specialist needed | $6,500 | Approved by Henrik on Sep 8, before outside counsel time was committed |
| Environmental questions on one site | Sep 3 | Imogen decided no separate review was needed for this deal | None prepared | Declined, Henrik agreed on Sep 10 |
| Trademark assignment review | Sep 10 | Outside the fixed fee | $3,800 | Approved by Henrik on Sep 17 |
| Transition services agreement | Sep 21 | Imogen decided the agreement is needed and needs no outside specialist | $4,200 | Awaiting client decision, due Oct 8 |
Darius Okonkwo, matter manager, owns each request and tracks time against the estimate once a request is approved. The environmental decision stays on the matter record, so the question is not reopened by accident.
How a request is reviewed
- Request received
- A request arrives from Solenne or from the seller. Nothing is drafted and no time is booked.
- Scope review
- Imogen Varley compares the request with the engagement terms and decides whether it is needed and whether it is inside the fixed fee.
- Specialist check
- Imogen decides whether outside counsel is needed, and checks that no conflict arises.
- Change proposed
- Darius Okonkwo sends Henrik the request, the reason, the estimate and what is and is not included.
- Accepted or declined
- Henrik accepts, declines or narrows the change. Only an accepted change starts work.
"The question is never whether we can start. It is whether Henrik has said yes to the estimate for that request."
Darius Okonkwo, Matter manager, Ashcombe Varley LLP
How Henrik approves the transition services agreement
- Seller request received Sep 21
- Imogen decides it is needed
- Specialist check: no outside specialist
- Estimate of $4,200 sent to Henrik
- Henrik decides by Oct 8
- Work begins only if accepted
What Henrik is asked to record, in one place:
- Request: Transition services agreement
- Raised: Sep 21, 2026 (seller request)
- Scope review: Needed, decided by Imogen Varley
- Outside specialist: Not needed
- Estimate: $4,200
- Decision by: Oct 8, 2026
- Decision options: Accept, decline or narrow
- Work begins: Only after an accepted decision
Who approves
- Henrik DahlbergChief financial officer, Solenne Foods, approves or declines each estimate
- Imogen VarleyPartner, Ashcombe Varley LLP, decides need, scope and estimate
- Darius OkonkwoMatter manager, Ashcombe Varley LLP, sends estimates and tracks time
The note in one view
Before any more time is booked
Next steps
- Hold the transition services agreement draft until the estimate is approved. Owner: Darius Okonkwo, done Sep 29done
- Record the environmental decision on the matter record. Owner: Darius Okonkwo, donedone
- Approve, decline or narrow the $4,200 estimate. Owner: Henrik Dahlberg, Oct 8open
- Track the specialist's time against the $6,500 estimate. Owner: Darius Okonkwo, weeklyopen
- Track the trademark assignment review against the $3,800 estimate. Owner: Darius Okonkwo, weeklyopen
- Start the transition services agreement only after an accepted decision. Owner: Imogen Varley, after Oct 8open
A decision is recorded against the request it answers. An approval for one estimate does not cover another request.