A former judge is in a "state of warfare" with his corporate lawyer neighbour about the repairs and strata conversion in the Point Piper apartment block they both occupy.

Stephen O'Ryan, QC, who was a Family Court judge between 1994 and 2011, launched NSW Supreme Court action against former King & Wood Mallesons law firm partner Greg Golding in the midst of a deadlock over building works that include replacing eaves, gates, and whether vines at the converted Georgian mansion should be removed.

Former Family Court judge Stephen O'Ryan launched the legal action.

Justice David Hammerschlag heard on Thursday that the architect hired to oversee the works had resigned due to the stalemate between the blue-ribbon neighbours, to which he remarked, "if I could resign as a judge in this case, I would".

"I have no confidence that the parties will see sense, none whatsoever," Justice Hammerschlag said.