Earnings per share Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart	$ 6,279	$ 26,899	$ (5,828)	$ 30,105
Interest expense, net of tax effects	314	293	0	805
If-converted net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart	$ 6,593	$ 27,192	$ (5,828)	$ 30,910
Denominator:
Basic average shares outstanding	22,476	22,433	22,491	21,701
Dilutive average number of shares	2,087	2,158	0	2,864
Diluted average shares outstanding	24,848	24,919	22,491	24,743
Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart (usd per share)	$ 0.28	$ 1.20	$ (0.26)	$ 1.39
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart (usd per share)	$ 0.27	$ 1.09	$ (0.26)	$ 1.25
Options
Denominator:
Dilutive average number of shares	1	150	0	0
Restricted Shares
Denominator:
Dilutive average number of shares	284	178	0	178