Abstract: A bipolar endoscopic instrument including a tubular stem having a distal end and a proximal end. The stem distal end supports two jaws that are pivotable relative to one another. The proximal end of the tubular stem has a bipolar hf plug inserted therein at an acute angle to a push/pull wire. The plug applies a bipolar output of a high-frequency (hf) voltage source into the inside of the instrument. The inserted end of the hf plug is shaped such that the plug contacts are axially insulated from each other and each plug contact touches an electrically conducting contact element inside the instrument which, in turn, is connected in electrically conducting manner to one of the two jaws. A unit is present inside the instrument and includes the two contact elements and an insulator electrically separating the contact elements. The hf plug engages the insulator while a particular plug contact touches a particular contact element.