Sprung latch

A surgical instrument 10 comprising a clamping jaw with a first and second jaw portions and a handle 26 engaged with the clamping jaw and operable to move between first and second configurations. The handle has a latch assembly, comprising: an elongate latch housing 34 located within and fixed relative to the instrument housing; a latch body 36 which is slidable within the latch housing in a first outward direction and in a second return direction; a latch mounted within the latch body, the latch defining a smooth cam path, a smooth return path and a recess located between the cam path and return path; a coil spring 46 extended within the housing, wherein the coil spring is engaged with the latch body and the latch housing. The handle is biased in a direction away from the latch assembly. In use, the latch engagement portion is moveable along the cam path and the latch body is slidable within the latch housing such that on release of the force through the handle, the latch engagement portion is engageable with the recess and a constant force is retained through the clamping jaw.