SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA Geographic Data Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 184,276		$ 187,873	$ 204,838	$ 200,590	$ 222,738		$ 245,081	$ 247,378	$ 218,539	$ 777,577	[1]	$ 933,736	[1]	$ 794,542	[1]
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	22,158	[2]				20,029	[2]				22,158	[2]	20,029	[2]	18,825	[2]
Total assets	193,468					216,546					193,468		216,546		205,834
Net assets	106,541					107,357					106,541		107,357		93,278		76,260
Hudson Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											169,216		192,237		162,429
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,230					2,557					2,230		2,557		1,487
Total assets	31,399					29,818					31,399		29,818		30,130
Hudson Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											288,235		359,147		303,689
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	12,909					9,997					12,909		9,997		10,271
Total assets	72,517					81,161					72,517		81,161		77,204
Hudson Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											320,305		382,546		328,686
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	5,048					4,939					5,048		4,939		4,819
Total assets	76,381					86,156					76,381		86,156		86,133
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											0		0		0
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,971					2,536					1,971		2,536		2,248
Total assets	13,171					19,411					13,171		19,411		12,367
Inter- segment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											(179)		(194)		(262)
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	0					0					0		0		0
Total assets	0					0					0		0		0
United Kingdom
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											210,933	[1]	258,766	[1]	221,538	[1]
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,629	[2]				3,122	[2]				3,629	[2]	3,122	[2]	3,086	[2]
Net assets	26,750					29,290					26,750		29,290		27,636
Australia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											218,537	[1]	277,646	[1]	232,936	[1]
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	9,015	[2]				5,972	[2]				9,015	[2]	5,972	[2]	6,841	[2]
Net assets	31,036					30,521					31,036		30,521		23,348
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											167,196	[1]	190,094	[1]	161,241	[1]
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	4,152	[2]				5,067	[2]				4,152	[2]	5,067	[2]	3,743	[2]
Net assets	26,404					22,223					26,404		22,223		16,947
Continental Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											109,100	[1]	121,935	[1]	104,984	[1]
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,411	[2]				1,805	[2]				1,411	[2]	1,805	[2]	1,725	[2]
Net assets	7,975					10,933					7,975		10,933		13,099
Other Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											69,791	[1]	83,172	[1]	72,652	[1]
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,895	[2]				4,029	[2]				3,895	[2]	4,029	[2]	3,430	[2]
Net assets	14,122					14,028					14,122		14,028		11,774
Other Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue											2,020	[1]	2,123	[1]	1,191	[1]
Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	56	[2]				34	[2]				56	[2]	34	[2]	0	[2]
Net assets	$ 254					$ 362					$ 254		$ 362		$ 474

[1] Revenue by geographic region disclosed above is net of any inter-segment revenue and, therefore, represents only revenue from external customers according to the location of the operating subsidiary.

[2] Comprised of property and equipment and intangibles. Corporate assets are included in the United States.