A hand-operable surgical clip applicator (10) including a barrel (12) having a first end (14) and a second end (16), the second end formed to accommodate a surgical clip, a crimping lever (20) pivotally connected at the second end of the barrel, and a trigger (28) co-located with the barrel, the trigger being operable to pivot the crimping lever, the pivoting movement of the crimping lever causing the surgical clip to be urged from an open position to a closed position, wherein the trigger has an operating portion on either side of the barrel.