Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 165,114	$ 92,785	$ 190,559
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments	(15,536)	15,686	(9,474)
Amortization of interest rate hedge	2,502	1,055	1,054
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial loss (net of tax benefit of $6,388, $12,950 and $12,526 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	(13,500)	(40,298)	(38,248)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $1,929, $1,145 and $1,031 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	4,605	4,399	2,206
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX	(21,929)	(19,158)	(44,462)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	143,185	73,627	146,097
LESS - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	4,769	8,315	13,105
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$ 138,416	$ 65,312	$ 132,992