Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Cash	$ 34,099,000	$ 38,723,000
Cash equivalents	3,484,000	4,546,000
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted from use	5,100,000	7,100,000
Total cash and cash equivalents	42,679,000	50,324,000	62,050,000	78,227,000
Distribution period	7 years
Deferred compensation liability	900,000	2,500,000
Greenhill & Co. Australia Pty Limited
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted from use	867,000	2,607,000
Letter of Credit
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted from use	$ 4,229,000	$ 4,448,000