Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt (Details 2) (Legg Mason Group [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,159,249
Unamortized Discount	6,410
Long-term Debt	1,152,839	1,136,892
Current portion of long-term debt	58,372	1,278
Long-term debt	1,094,467	1,135,614
Unamortized Discount, Net	6,410
Debt Instrument, Noncurrent Carrying Amount	1,100,877
Debt Instrument Maturity Amount, Current	58,372
5.5% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt, Gross	650,000
Unamortized Discount	6,410
Long-term Debt	643,590	0
Five-year term loan
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt, Gross	500,000
Unamortized Discount	0
Long-term Debt	500,000	0
Other term loans
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt, Gross	9,249
Unamortized Discount	0
Long-term Debt	9,249	9,883
2.5% Convertible Senior Notes
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt, Gross	0
Unamortized Discount	0
Long-term Debt	$ 0	$ 1,127,009

Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

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- Definition

The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28567-108399

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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