An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members (2), (3), movable between an open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. One or more spring members (15), (16), (17), (18), (19) are connected between the first and second jaw members (2), (3), such that moving the jaw members from their open position to their closed position causes the one or more spring members to compress. The one or more spring members have a fully compressed condition such that when in their fully compressed condition they form stop members to maintain the first and second jaw members (2), (3), at a predetermined spacing one from the other when in their closed position.
