The law gives to the agent in certain cases, the right to hold property in his hands to secure the payment of his just claim for service, and for disbursements made by him as agent. This is called the agent's lien.

The agent's hen is of common law origin though the statute has added or changed the rule as to the rights of certain kinds of agents to a Hen. The hen of the agent is either a particular hen, arising from the work in hand, or a general hen. The latter extends the right to hold the subject matter arising out of, or connected with, the agency not only for the particular matter in hand, but for any balance due from the principal to the agent. The right to a general hen is restricted but has been held to exist as to attorneys-at-law, factors,21 and banks.22

The hen arises, of course, from possession of the thing held. The hen is lost by surrendering possession of the thing in the agent's hands.