Manchester-based QC Bill Braithwaite has launched a new social networking site for the legal services sector.

Similar to Twitter, but with a 500 word (as opposed to 140 character) limit, Mootis (mootis.co.uk) is aimed not only at lawyers but also at business owners, senior executives and anyone else with an interest in the law.

Braithwaite, who has been a QC for more than 20 years and is Head of Chambers at Exchange Chambers on Deansgate, told the Manchester Evening News that it is hoped that Mootis will appeal to two audiences – those already registered with sites such as Twitter and LinkedIn – and those who are yet to engage with the world of social media.

Access to the network is currently free and users can upload and share video blogs, images, audio and discover the latest legal trends. They can also make connections, build their own network, talk to the legal experts and potentially win new business.

The network is open to individuals and organisations.

Despite being newly launched, the network has already started to attract some major social networking players from the legal sector including Brian Inkster, Kent Law School, The Law Society and Riverview Law.

Mootis is not the first social media network to be aimed principally at lawyers. Defero Law (www.deferolaw.com) run by former Chambers and Partners’ Richard Pettet – which is more akin to Facebook or LinkedIn – has been around for several years, whilst in the United States Foxwordy requires that prospective lawyer members submit to a “vetting” process to prove their bona fides, following whihcv they can “digitally schmooze in total privacy—not revealing their identities to other members”.

It remains to be seen whether lawyers have the appetite for yet another network and whether, indeed, it can be shown to benefit either them or their businesses.