Born in Fossano, Italy, he was professor emeritus at the University of Turin, Faculty of Law.
He is arguably one of the country's best known legal scholars and one of Europe's most famous comparative lawyers.
He has served as the President of the Latin Group of the International Academy of Comparative Law, he is particularly well known as a civilian scholar in the French tradition.
However, his international reputation is that of one of the founding fathers of the rich comparative law tradition that is now dominant in European circles.
Sacco has also served as the President of the International Association of Legal Science (UNESCO).