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When you say 'a court', does this mean a magistrate, a jury, or what? On day rides I often have a locking Opinel in the bottom my saddlebag, for cutting up my lunch and potentially for cutting tyre boots etc; while I consider this totally legit, I'm uncomfortably aware that this is possibly subject to interpretation.
Thrustvector-
If it gets to this. Once you've had your knife confiscated by the Aged William, cautioned and told you will be reported for an appearance at court; you present yourself at court in front of a magistrate or it could end up in front of a judge and jury at Crown Court. There are so many factors to be considered that it is a minefield for all sides. If you're stopped in an area where there has been knife crime and you have an illegal knife in your possession then it is unlikely to end in your favour. It's all down to attitude on both sides of the initial interaction (and CPS advice) which decides if you go to court. It is then down to the court to decide if your locking Opinel was purely for your innocent food carving or not.
A factor in your favour is the accessibility of the weapon. If it's really wrapped up and difficult to get to then that would imply that you do only "cut the cheese" so to speak.
Constable_Savage
As the law says - A court will decide if you’ve got a good reason to carry a knife or a weapon if you’re charged with carrying it illegally.
Rest assured your Leatherman would never be considered a flick knife.