An electrode assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting vessels and/or tissue, the electrode assembly comprising: a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, each jaw member including at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface (312a, 312b, 322a, 322b) extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; an insulator having a first portion which extends between at least one flange and an electrically conductive cutting element to a point in general horizontal registration with the at least one electrically conductive sealing surfaces; the first jaw member including the electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the insulator on the second jaw member defining at least one cutting zone between the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces and the cutting element; wherein the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface includes at least one sealing section operatively connected to at least one flange, the at least one flange extending from an inner leg of the at least one sealing section, the at least one flange configured to control a gap distance between the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface of the first jaw member and the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface of the second jaw member; wherein the cutting element and the electrically conducive tissue sealing surfaces on the first jaw member are arranged to be energized to a potential during a sealing process and the at least one electrically conductive sealing surfaces on the first jaw member are arranged to be energized to a different potential from the corresponding at least one electrically conductive sealing surfaces on the second jaw member such that electrosurgical energy can be transferred through the tissue to effect a tissue seal; and the cutting element being arranged to maintain the same potential during a cutting stage and the at least one electrically conductive sealing surfaces on the first jaw member and the corresponding at least one electrically conducive sealing surfaces on the second jaw member being arranged to be energized to a different potential than the cutting element such that electrosurgical energy can be transferred through the tissue to effect a tissue cut. a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, each jaw member including at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface (312a, 312b, 322a, 322b) extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; an insulator having a first portion which extends between at least one flange and an electrically conductive cutting element to a point in general horizontal registration with the at least one electrically conductive sealing surfaces; the first jaw member including the electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the insulator on the second jaw member defining at least one cutting zone between the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces and the cutting element; wherein the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface includes at least one sealing section operatively connected to at least one flange, the at least one flange extending from an inner leg of the at least one sealing section, the at least one flange configured to control a gap distance between the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface of the first jaw member and the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface of the second jaw member; wherein the cutting element and the electrically conducive tissue sealing surfaces on the first jaw member are arranged to be energized to a potential during a sealing process and the at least one electrically conductive sealing surfaces on the first jaw member are arranged to be energized to a different potential from the corresponding at least one electrically conductive sealing surfaces on the second jaw member such that electrosurgical energy can be transferred through the tissue to effect a tissue seal; and the cutting element being arranged to maintain the same potential during a cutting stage and the at least one electrically conductive sealing surfaces on the first jaw member and the corresponding at least one electrically conducive sealing surfaces on the second jaw member being arranged to be energized to a different potential than the cutting element such that electrosurgical energy can be transferred through the tissue to effect a tissue cut.