The Custodian Field Is Gone: What Microsoft Purview’s Unified Workflow Means for Your eDiscovery Operations

If you have not fully migrated your processes to Microsoft Purview eDiscovery’s Unified Workflow yet, there is a critical technical change you need to know about: the Custodian field is gone!

A Small Change with Big Implications

Microsoft’s transition from the classic eDiscovery Premium workflow to the Unified Workflow brought more than just a modern interface.  The classic workflow’s “Custodian” approach has been replaced with a Data Source framework.  For many organizations, this seemingly minor structural change is creating real operational challenges.

Where the Pain Points Are Showing Up

Broken Automation: Custom scripts and automated processes built around the Custodian field are no longer compatible with the new workflow.

Reporting Gaps: Organizations that developed custom reporting solutions tied to custodian data are finding their reports incomplete or non-functional.

Third-Party Tool Issues: Tools and integrations that relied on the Custodian field structure may require updates or workarounds.

Process Disruption: Legal teams with formalized eDiscovery procedures to set holds within Purview focused around a custodian structure may have to rebuild their processes.

Moving Forward

If you have not yet focused on how the new unified Purview workflow impacts your reporting and eDiscovery processes, now is the time to consider the implications and changes that may be required, rather than reacting to issues as they arise when deadlines are looming.

How Redgrave Can Help

Redgrave LLP combines legal experience with deep technical knowledge of Microsoft Purview eDiscovery.  We help organizations navigate these transitions while minimizing legal risk and operational disruption.

Our Redgrave Legal 365 framework offers fixed-fee, modular advisory tracks that integrate Microsoft 365 technical expertise with privileged legal insight.  Through single-day, cross-functional workshops and concise executive read-outs, we help legal and IT leaders identify configuration gaps, address eDiscovery risks, and develop actionable implementation plans.

If you have any questions about this topic, or other Microsoft 365 questions, please reach out to: John Collins, Managing Director [jcollins@redgravellp.com], Staci Kaliner, Managing Director [skaliner@redgravellp.com], or Martin Tully, Partner [mtully@redgravellp.com]. 

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The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of their law firm or any of its clients.