Hancock lost a final bid to retain a 25% stake in the deposit in September 2013, but inaction prompted Wright to make an application for an order to enforce the final orders.

According to court documents, Hancock and Wright had been in communication since February last year, when the Supreme Court made the final orders. But Wright this month sought orders that Hancock execute the Rhodes Ridge joint venture interest deed of assignment and assumption within seven days, or authorise a registrar to do so in the event of default.

Hancock requested a staged approach to the transfer, which was rejected by the court.

Justice Rene Le Miere said Hancock should execute the deed, or the court would authorise a registrar to do so.

The Hancock and Wright families have been battling for control of the deposit since 2001.

Hancock lost a 2010 appeal and the High Court of Australia refused its application for special leave to appeal the decision last year.

The finding gives Wright Prospecting a 50% stake in the project, while Rio Tinto owns the other 50%.

Rhodes Ridge has a 2013 resource of 5.3 billion tonnes, up from almost 5.1Bt in 2012.

The deposit, near Newman, is undeveloped.