A surgical clip applier includes a jaw assembly having first and second jaws.Each jaw defines an opposed surface configured to receive a portion of asurgical clip.The jaws are moveable between a spaced-apart position and an approximatedpositionfor forming the surgical clip about tissue. Each jaw includes a relief elementdisposedon a surface adjacent to and substantially transverse relative to the opposedsurfacethereof. The relief elements are cooperable to define a relief recess uponmovement ofthe jaws to the approximated position. The relief recess is configured toreceive at leasta portion of a previously formed surgical clip during formation of asubsequent surgicalclip about tissue adjacent to the previously formed surgical clip.
