The invention relates to a bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising a handle and a tool head. In the case of bipolar instruments, at least two mutually separate conducting paths must be provided within the instrument to supply the bipolar tool head. Reliable electrical insulation of these conducting paths relative to one another is often associated with a high cost in known electrosurgical instruments, such as scissors and clamps, since these instruments have a crossed joint. The present invention solves this problem in that the tool head is connected to the handle without crossing over itself.