The article examines the changing power base of the juvenile court in England and Wales and the context for its immediate future operation under the Crime and Disorder legislation now being implemented and due for full implementation in April 2000. The article discusses four themes that have influenced the marginalization of the juvenile court: bifurcation, diversion, manageralism, and legislation. The Crime and Disorder Act of 1998 introduces further powers for an expanded range of community penalties and custodial sentences. Yet despite the political rhetoric of populist punitivism and the significant attack on diversionary strategies and manageralism, significant doubts remain as to whether the youth court will inevitably gain the ascendancy it had in earlier times. In several respects the power base for dealing with youthful offenders has become more diffuse and with it the opportunities for the youth court to take a significant lead more difficult. Note, references