"This is the calibre of player we want to be bringing to the club," Brighton boss Gus Poyet told the club website.
"He is an excellent footballer. He played over 250 games for Aston Villa at the top level and I know his qualities from playing against him."
Poyet added: "With our current midfielders in such good form, and Diego Arismendi here too, I have told him he will have to fight for his place in the team - but Lee wants to come and play football for us.
This gives us the opportunity to have a look at him between now and the end of the season
Gus Poyet
"He has been in and out the team at Derby this season, but there is no doubting his quality.
"This gives us the opportunity to have a look at him between now and the end of the season," he added.
Hendrie, who won one cap for England against Czech Republic in 1998, began his career at Villa Park in 1994 having come through the youth ranks at the club.
The midfielder left the side in 2007 after agreeing a loan deal to join Stoke City, before appearing for Sheffield United, Leicester City and Blackpool.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport