John Budd Phear

Sir John Budd Phear (9 February 1825 - 1905) was a judge and author who was the 13th Chief Justice of Ceylon. He was appointed on 18 October 1877 succeeding William Hackett and was Chief Justice until 1879. He was succeeded by Richard Cayley. When Phear retired Harry Dias Bandaranaike acted as Chief Justice for 12 days.

Phear was the eldest of three sons of John Phear, rector of Earl Stonham. One of his brothers, Samuel George Phear, became Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. John Phear also stood as the Liberal parliamentary candidate for Honiton in the reformed 1885 borough elections but ultimately lost to Sir John Kennaway, Conservative candidate and never stood for the seat again.