An electrosurgical forceps , comprising: first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the first and second shaft members configured to rotate about a pivot to move the jaw members between an open position and a closed position, the first and second shaft members defining a longitudinal axis therebetween; a knife deployment mechanism disposed within the first shaft member and including a trigger moveable along the longitudinal axis to deploy a knife operably coupled thereto between a retracted position relative to the jaw members and an extended position between the jaw members, the knife deployment mechanism including first and second rack members operably coupled to one another by a gear disposed therebetween, the trigger operably connected to the first rack member and the knife operably coupled to the second rack member such that movement of the trigger moves the knife in an opposite direction relative thereto; and a knife lockout configured to move upon approximation of the first and second shaft members between an engaged position preventing deployment of the knife and a disengaged position allowing deployment of the knife, the knife lockout including a flange operably connected to the first shaft member and depending therefrom in opposition to the second shaft member such that approximation of the first and second shaft members forces the flange against the second shaft member to disengage the knife lockout to allow actuation of the knife, characterised in that the knife lockout includes a boss disposed on the flange configured to operably engage one of a plurality of slots defined between a plurality of gears in the first rack to prevent movement of the knife when engaged . first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the first and second shaft members configured to rotate about a pivot to move the jaw members between an open position and a closed position, the first and second shaft members defining a longitudinal axis therebetween; a knife deployment mechanism disposed within the first shaft member and including a trigger moveable along the longitudinal axis to deploy a knife operably coupled thereto between a retracted position relative to the jaw members and an extended position between the jaw members, the knife deployment mechanism including first and second rack members operably coupled to one another by a gear disposed therebetween, the trigger operably connected to the first rack member and the knife operably coupled to the second rack member such that movement of the trigger moves the knife in an opposite direction relative thereto; and a knife lockout configured to move upon approximation of the first and second shaft members between an engaged position preventing deployment of the knife and a disengaged position allowing deployment of the knife, the knife lockout including a flange operably connected to the first shaft member and depending therefrom in opposition to the second shaft member such that approximation of the first and second shaft members forces the flange against the second shaft member to disengage the knife lockout to allow actuation of the knife, characterised in that the knife lockout includes a boss disposed on the flange configured to operably engage one of a plurality of slots defined between a plurality of gears in the first rack to prevent movement of the knife when engaged . <EOS>