Brown & Bates vs Legal Matters:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Legal Matters had more branded searches than Brown & Bates among Napier law firms in New Zealand. Legal Matters had about 40 branded searches, while Brown & Bates had 20. Legal Matters made up 3.3% of all Napier law firm searches we track, and Brown & Bates accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Napier law firms, Brown & Bates appeared in two of the three answers and Legal Matters in one. Brown & Bates and Legal Matters were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Legal Matters, about 2 searches for every 1 for Brown & Bates
Who does AI mention more?
Brown & Bates, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Legal Matters in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top Napier law firms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Brown & Bates was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Legal Matters was mentioned in one out of three: in one of the three ChatGPT answers. Brown & Bates and Legal Matters were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Langley Twigg Law3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Sainsbury Logan & Williams3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Carlile Dowling3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Willis Legal2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Brown & Bates2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Legal Matters1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Goodwill Law0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about Napier law firms
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which law firm should I hire in Napier, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best law firms in Napier, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best law firm in Napier, New Zealand for legal advice?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“lawyer napier”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“family lawyer napier”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Brown & Bates or Legal Matters more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Brown & Bates and Legal Matters by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven Napier law firms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Legal Matters, Brown & Bates. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Willis Legal | Langley Twigg Law | Sainsbury Logan & Williams | Carlile Dowling | Legal Matters | Brown & Bates | Goodwill Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 40% | 24.6% | 18.5% | 13.1% | 2.3% | 0.77% | 0.77% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.8% | 30.2% | 17.9% | 12.3% | 1.9% | 0.94% | 0.94% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.6% | 34.3% | 18.6% | 10.7% | 1.4% | 0.71% | 0.71% |
| Feb 2026 | 33.1% | 27.5% | 22.5% | 14.1% | 1.4% | 0.7% | 0.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.2% | 29.1% | 20% | 12.7% | 1.8% | 0.61% | 0.61% |
| Apr 2026 | 33.3% | 31% | 19% | 13.5% | 1.6% | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| May 2026 | 34.6% | 35.3% | 14% | 13.2% | 1.5% | 0.74% | 0.74% |
| Jun 2026 | 34.1% | 31.7% | 17.1% | 12.2% | 1.6% | 2.4% | 0.81% |
| Jul 2026 | 31.4% | 32.2% | 19% | 13.2% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 0% |
| Aug 2026 | 34.4% | 32% | 18.9% | 10.7% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.82% |
| Sep 2026 | 35.6% | 29.5% | 17.4% | 12.9% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.76% |
| Oct 2026 | 31.1% | 26.2% | 18.9% | 18% | 3.3% | 1.6% | 0.82% |
How has branded search for Brown & Bates and Legal Matters changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Brown & Bates took it in June 2026, Legal Matters took it in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Brown & Bates’ share of searches among Napier law firms in New Zealand moved from 0.77% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10 to 20.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Legal Matters’ share of searches among Napier law firms in New Zealand moved from 2.3% to 3.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 30 to 40.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand Napier law firms in October 2026?
2 changes

In October 2026, Legal Matters gained share of searches among Napier law firms in New Zealand, from 2.3% to 3.3%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Brown & Bates in New Zealand rose 100% over 12 measured months, from 10 to 20 in October 2026.
How are Brown & Bates’ and Legal Matters’ branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Brown & Bates’ and Legal Matters’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Brown & Bates
2 branded search terms
- brown & bates
- brown and bates
Legal Matters
2 branded search terms
- legal matters
- legal matters napier
Other head-to-heads among Napier law firms

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Langley Twigg Law vs Sainsbury Logan & Williams: compare popularity
Langley Twigg Law vs Carlile Dowling: compare popularity

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