Forbes, Sir Francis (1784-1841), was the first chief justice of New South Wales, Australia, from 1823 to 1837, and therefore responsible for ensuring that any legislation was consistent with the principles of British law. Forbes was also a member of the Executive Council, and so he had the power of veto on new legislation. His veto power brought him into conflict with Governor Ralph Darling, and the Colonial Office finally ruled in 1828 that the chief justice could not be on the Executive Council.