Investments - Schedule of the separate account managed by TP LLC (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Total assets	$ 2,056,884	$ 1,741,411
Liabilities and non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and non-controlling interest	428,258	181,969
Total net investments managed by Third Point LLC	1,628,626	1,559,442
Total investments in securities and commodities
Assets
Total assets	1,752,589	1,460,864
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets
Total assets	10	869
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Assets
Total assets	131,598	100,563
Due from brokers
Assets
Total assets	101,819	98,386
Securities purchased under an agreement to sell
Assets
Total assets	36,778	38,147
Derivative assets
Assets
Total assets	28,134	39,045
Interest and dividends receivable
Assets
Total assets	5,204	2,604
Other assets
Assets
Total assets	752	933
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Liabilities and non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and non-controlling interest	617	1,759
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
Liabilities and non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and non-controlling interest	53,958	56,056
Due to brokers
Liabilities and non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and non-controlling interest	333,478	44,870
Derivative liabilities
Liabilities and non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and non-controlling interest	7,569	8,819
Performance fee payable to related party
Liabilities and non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and non-controlling interest	12,295	0
Interest and dividends payable
Liabilities and non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and non-controlling interest	800	748
Non-controlling interest
Liabilities and non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and non-controlling interest	$ 19,541	$ 69,717