Fair Value Disclosures - Investments Measured at Fair Value Based on Net Asset Value Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 95,540	[1],[2]	$ 93,014	[1],[2]
Unfunded commitments	47,566	[2]	59,378	[2]
Equity Long/Short Hedge Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	20,003	[1],[3]	19,554	[1],[3]
Redemption Frequency (if currently eligible)	Monthly, Quarterly	[3]	Monthly, Quarterly	[3]
High Yield Hedge Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	327	[1],[4]	612	[1],[4]
Redemption Frequency (if currently eligible)	-	[4]	-	[4]
Fund of Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	394	[1],[5]	604	[1],[5]
Unfunded commitments	106	[5]	106	[5]
Redemption Frequency (if currently eligible)	-	[5]	-	[5]
Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	71,883	[1],[6]	69,223	[1],[6]
Unfunded commitments	47,460	[6]	59,272	[6]
Redemption Frequency (if currently eligible)	-	[6]	-	[6]
Convertible Bond Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	2,916	[1],[7]	3,002	[1],[7]
Redemption Frequency (if currently eligible)	At Will	[7]	At Will	[7]
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 17	[1],[8]	$ 19	[1],[8]
Redemption Frequency (if currently eligible)	Bi-Monthly	[8]	Bi-Monthly	[8]

[1] Fair value has been estimated using the net asset value derived from each of the funds' capital statements.

[2] Investments at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at February 28, 2013 and November 30, 2012 include $35.5 million and $91.8 million, respectively, of direct investments which do not have the characteristics of investment companies and therefore not included within this table.

[3] This category includes investments in hedge funds that invest, long and short, in equity securities in domestic and international markets in both the public and private sectors. At February 28, 2013 and November 30, 2012, investments representing approximately 98% and 96%, respectively, of the fair value of investments in this category are redeemable with 30-65 days prior written notice, and includes investments in private asset management funds managed by us with an aggregate fair value of $0.5 million in both periods. The remaining investments in this category cannot be redeemed as they are in liquidation and distributions will be received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We are unable to estimate when the underlying assets will be liquidated.

[4] Includes investments in funds that invest in domestic and international public high yield debt, private high yield investments, senior bank loans, public leveraged equities, distressed debt, and private equity investments. There are no redemption provisions. The underlying assets of the funds are being liquidated and we are unable to estimate when the underlying assets will be fully liquidated.

[5] Includes investments in fund of funds that invest in various private equity funds. At February 28, 2013 and November 30, 2012, approximately 94%, of the fair value of investments in this category is managed by us and has no redemption provisions, instead distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the fund of funds, which are estimated to be liquidated in one to two years. As of February 28, 2013 and November 30, 2012, we have requested redemption for investments representing approximately 6% of the fair value of investments in this category; however, we are unable to estimate when these funds will be received.

[6] At February 28, 2013 and November 30, 2012, investments representing approximately 98% of the fair value of investments in this category include investments in equity funds that invest in the equity of various U.S. and foreign private companies in the energy, technology, internet service and telecommunication service industries. These investments cannot be redeemed instead distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds which are expected to liquidate in one to eight years. At February 28, 2013 and November 30, 2012, investments representing approximately 2% of the fair value of investments in equity funds are in liquidation and we are unable to estimate when the underlying assets will be fully liquidated. At February 28, 2013 and November 30, 2012, this category includes investments in equity funds managed by us with a fair value of $58.1 million and $55.6 million and unfunded commitments of $45.8 million and $56.9 million, respectively.

[7] Investment in the Jefferies Umbrella Fund, an open-ended investment company managed by us that invests primarily in convertible bonds. The investment is redeemable with 5 days prior written notice.

[8] Other investments at February 28, 2013 and November 30, 2012 included investments in funds that invest in commodity futures and options contracts.