THE GROWING EMPHASIS ON STRICT APPLICATION OF THE RULES OF EVIDENCE AND A TENDENCY TO ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE JUVENILE COURTS HAS RESULTED IN CHANGED JUDICIAL EXPECTATIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS. THE PROBLEMS IN COURT WHICH THE SOCIAL WORKER MAY NOW FACE ARE DISCUSSED; THESE INCLUDE DISTRUST BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKERS AND LEGAL COUNSEL, LACK OF CLARITY REGARDING TERMINOLOGY, AND COMPILING AND PRESENTING FACTUAL MATERIAL. SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED ON BUILDING A LEGALLY-USABLE RECORD OF FACTS FOR POSSIBLE LITIGATION, THE COMPILATION OF EXHIBITS, MANAGING SECOND-HAND INFORMATION, AND PRETRIAL CONFERENCES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)