A bipolar forceps, comprising: a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts (12, 14) each having a jaw member (42, 44) extending from a distal end (17, 19) thereof and a handle (16, 18) disposed at a proximal end (13, 15) thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; a disposable housing comprising halves (70a, 70b) configured to matingly engage and to releasably encompass at least a portion of at least one of the shafts; an electrode assembly associated with the disposable housing and having a first electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the first shaft and a second electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the second shaft, each electrode adapted to connect to a source of electro surgical energy to allow selective conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; at least one of the electrodes including a knife channel defined along a length thereof, the knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members; an actuation mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing and configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue; and a knife lockout mechanism configured to prohibit advancement of the knife blade into the knife channel when the jaw members are in the first position, characterised by further comprising a knife guide supported in the housing and having a longitudinal slot defined therethrough that receives the knife blade therein to align the knife blade with the knife channel, wherein the knife guide extends through a longitudinal slot defined through the pivot. a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts (12, 14) each having a jaw member (42, 44) extending from a distal end (17, 19) thereof and a handle (16, 18) disposed at a proximal end (13, 15) thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; a disposable housing comprising halves (70a, 70b) configured to matingly engage and to releasably encompass at least a portion of at least one of the shafts; an electrode assembly associated with the disposable housing and having a first electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the first shaft and a second electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the second shaft, each electrode adapted to connect to a source of electro surgical energy to allow selective conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; at least one of the electrodes including a knife channel defined along a length thereof, the knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members; an actuation mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing and configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue; and a knife lockout mechanism configured to prohibit advancement of the knife blade into the knife channel when the jaw members are in the first position, characterised by further comprising a knife guide supported in the housing and having a longitudinal slot defined therethrough that receives the knife blade therein to align the knife blade with the knife channel, wherein the knife guide extends through a longitudinal slot defined through the pivot.