MENOCHIO, GIACOMO. - Jurist, born in Pavia in 1532, died there in 1607. While still very young, he taught law at that University (1556–60). Having attained great renown, after refusing several European chairs, he was called by Duke Emanuele Filiberto to teach at the new University of Mondovì (1561–66). He also went to Pisa, but did not wish to remain there, despite the offers of Grand Duke Francesco de' Medici, having committed himself to the Venetian Republic to occupy the principal chair of the University of Padua (1566–88). When Nicola Graziano died in Pavia, his fellow citizens brought him back to their University. Subsequently he was appointed by King Filippo II of Spain senator, president of extraordinary revenues, and royal counsellor. He was the most celebrated and characteristic representative of the school of practical jurists.
Principal works: De adipiscenda et recuperanda possessione (Lyon 1571); De arbitrariis iudicum quaestionibus et causis (ibid. 1585); De praesumptionibus, coniecturis, signis et iudiciis commentaria (Cologne 1595); De iurisdictione, imperio ac potestate ecclesiastica ac saeculari (Venice 1906); Consiliorum sive responsorum libri XIII (ibid. 1609). He was also among the editors of the Tractatus universi iuris, published under the auspices of Gregorio XIII in Venice in 1584, in 28 vols.