A clamping retractor assembly (80, 150) for retracting soft tissue in a spinal surgery incision, the assembly comprising; a support member (81, 151) having first and second ends; a retractor blade (87, 157) having a blade arm, a distal end and a proximal end retained by the support member (81, 151); a retaining arm (88, 158) supported by and depending from a connecting assembly co - operating with the support member (81, 151), the support member receiving and supporting the connecting assembly; wherein the clamping retractor assembly (80, 150) includes a height adjustable clamping member (89, 159) having a bearing face (91, 161) which opposes the retractor blade (87, 157) and which engages and is selectively moveable relative to the co -operating retaining arm (88, 158), the co-operation with the support member allowing the clamping member (89, 159) to advance and retract the bearing face (91, 161) relative to the distal end of the retractor blade (87, 157) between a clamped state in which in use soft tissues in the incision are subject to a clamping force induced by co -operation between the retractor blade and the clamping member (89, 159), thereby retracting a wall of the incision depending upon a user-activated retraction force required and an unclamped state in which in use the assembly does not induce a clamping force; and wherein a position of clamping member (89, 159) is selectively adjustable via an actuating member, along the retaining arm (88, 158) and relative to the support member (81, 151); the connecting assembly further comprising a runner (94, 164) which includes a pivotally attached actuator which engages formations on the support member to effect incremental adjustment of the runner and a locking member (99, 169) which allows locking of said runner ( 94, 164) at a selected position along the support member (81, 151) a support member (81, 151) having first and second ends; a retractor blade (87, 157) having a blade arm, a distal end and a proximal end retained by the support member (81, 151); a retaining arm (88, 158) supported by and depending from a connecting assembly co - operating with the support member (81, 151), the support member receiving and supporting the connecting assembly; wherein the clamping retractor assembly (80, 150) includes a height adjustable clamping member (89, 159) having a bearing face (91, 161) which opposes the retractor blade (87, 157) and which engages and is selectively moveable relative to the co -operating retaining arm (88, 158), the co-operation with the support member allowing the clamping member (89, 159) to advance and retract the bearing face (91, 161) relative to the distal end of the retractor blade (87, 157) between a clamped state in which in use soft tissues in the incision are subject to a clamping force induced by co -operation between the retractor blade and the clamping member (89, 159), thereby retracting a wall of the incision depending upon a user-activated retraction force required and an unclamped state in which in use the assembly does not induce a clamping force; and wherein a position of clamping member (89, 159) is selectively adjustable via an actuating member, along the retaining arm (88, 158) and relative to the support member (81, 151); the connecting assembly further comprising a runner (94, 164) which includes a pivotally attached actuator which engages formations on the support member to effect incremental adjustment of the runner and a locking member (99, 169) which allows locking of said runner ( 94, 164) at a selected position along the support member (81, 151)