Charles Joseph Mathieu Lambrechts (20 November 1753 – 4 August 1823) was an Austrian Netherlands-born lawyer, rector magnificus of the University of Louvain, who became Minister of Justice of the French Republic, during the Directoire.

Charles Joseph Mathieu Lambrechts was born in Sint-Truiden, Austrian Netherlands, on 20 November 1753.

[1] In January 1798 Lambrechts defined the principles that would be followed in the territories occupied by the French armies, writing that servitude was accompanied by ignorance, and freedom could only come when the people were enlightened.

[5] After the coup of 18 Brumaire VIII (9 November 1799) when the French Consulate came to power Lambrechts was made a member of the Sénat conservateur.

[1] Lambrechts spoke out against Napoleon Bonaparte's accumulation of power, and was one of three senators who voted against establishment of the empire.

[2] Despite this, he was appointed a member of the Legion of Honour on 9 Vendémiaire XII (2 October 1803) and was created Count of the Empire on 13 May 1808.