Seven and former programme partnerships and content director Lisa Squillace have entered into a legal battle over her departure to join rival Network Ten.
Squillace, who had been with the Seven Network for more than a decade, was revealed to be exiting the role to join Ten's growing in-house sales team earlier this month.
AdNews understands that the case, lodged by Squillace with the Fair Work Commission last Friday, is over her six-month non-compete clause with Seven, which she is looking to end by December.
It is believed claim is pushing for the early end to the current clause so that Squillace is eligible to work with Ten's new sales team before the business ends its current sales arrangement with MCN.
However, under the non-compete clause, it's thought Squillace is required to adhere to a six-month period where she is unable to work in a similar role.
It is also understood that Squillace was offered the opportunity to end the agreement in February 2019, three months earlier than what is detailed in her contract. Following this she was then offered three months' pay to comply with the entire six-month non-compete clause.
Seven and Ten have both declined to comment on the matter which is currently being assessed by the Federal Court. The case has been adjourned until December.
Her departure from Seven sees her return to Ten where she previously worked in 2000, selling advertising and sponsorship deals for top-rating shows such as Australian Idol and Big Brother.
Ten has been recruiting for its new sales team since announcing the end of its long-term partnership with MCN.
Ten announced in August that the new team will be led by current head of integration Tamar Hovagimian, who will report to the recently promoted chief sales officer Rod Prosser.
In September, the CBS-owned network named four of the five key state sales managers for its in-house sales team, with two moving across from the MCN team.
Seven's head of program partnerships Katie Finney will replace Squillace.
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