A bipolar electrosurgical instrument , comprising: first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof, wherein each handle defines a finger hole therethrough, for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another 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, each jaw member adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and a knife configured to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members ; a trigger extending from one of the first or second shafts and rotatable to actuate the knife to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members ; an anti-deployment link disposed within one of the first or second shafts and configured to engage the trigger to prevent the trigger from rotating to actuate the knife when the jaw members are in the first position; and a switch disposed on the first shaft configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft upon movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position, wherein the first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members and the at least one subsequent position activates the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members. first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof, wherein each handle defines a finger hole therethrough, for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another 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, each jaw member adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and a knife configured to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members ; a trigger extending from one of the first or second shafts and rotatable to actuate the knife to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members ; an anti-deployment link disposed within one of the first or second shafts and configured to engage the trigger to prevent the trigger from rotating to actuate the knife when the jaw members are in the first position; and a switch disposed on the first shaft configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft upon movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position, wherein the first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members and the at least one subsequent position activates the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members. <EOS>