A bipolar forceps, comprising: an end effector assembly including opposing first and second jaw members (410, 420) having proximal and distal ends and selectively moveable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, wherein the jaw members are connected by a pivot comprising a pivot pin so that the jaw members rotate about the pivot pin between the first and second positions, each of the jaw members including an electrode (412, 422) having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface (414, 424) adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy to tissue disposed therebetween, characterized by: a pivot mechanism (442, 462) pivotally connecting one of the electrodes to a respective jaw member and configured to allow the electrode to tilt relative to the jaw member; a resilient member (472, 492) disposed between the one of the electrodes and the respective jaw member and configured to bias the electrode against tilting relative to the respective jaw member, the pivot mechanism and the resilient member together configured to promote parallel closure of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces; and a space between the respective jaw member and the electrode to allow for tilting of the electrode relative to the respective jaw member, wherein the space is provided by a recess in the respective jaw member and the electrode is disposed within the recess. an end effector assembly including opposing first and second jaw members (410, 420) having proximal and distal ends and selectively moveable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, wherein the jaw members are connected by a pivot comprising a pivot pin so that the jaw members rotate about the pivot pin between the first and second positions, each of the jaw members including an electrode (412, 422) having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface (414, 424) adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy to tissue disposed therebetween, characterized by: a pivot mechanism (442, 462) pivotally connecting one of the electrodes to a respective jaw member and configured to allow the electrode to tilt relative to the jaw member; a resilient member (472, 492) disposed between the one of the electrodes and the respective jaw member and configured to bias the electrode against tilting relative to the respective jaw member, the pivot mechanism and the resilient member together configured to promote parallel closure of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces; and a space between the respective jaw member and the electrode to allow for tilting of the electrode relative to the respective jaw member, wherein the space is provided by a recess in the respective jaw member and the electrode is disposed within the recess. a pivot mechanism (442, 462) pivotally connecting one of the electrodes to a respective jaw member and configured to allow the electrode to tilt relative to the jaw member; a resilient member (472, 492) disposed between the one of the electrodes and the respective jaw member and configured to bias the electrode against tilting relative to the respective jaw member, the pivot mechanism and the resilient member together configured to promote parallel closure of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces; and a space between the respective jaw member and the electrode to allow for tilting of the electrode relative to the respective jaw member, wherein the space is provided by a recess in the respective jaw member and the electrode is disposed within the recess.