Separation agreement and PSO?

My ex wife and I arranged a Separation Agreement, 5-ish years ago and subsequently divorced. In the separation agreement, we agreed a fixed amount of my pension which would go to hers, when we divorced. I agreed. She agreed. We still do. All good.

Now we're sorting out the transfer, the pension company are insisting we have a court order. The Pensions Advisory Service are also saying we need one.
4 questions
Why do we need one? We're both happy with the arrangements (it was a simple pension equalisation).
What was the point in being advised to include it in the separation agreement?
How do we get one, without using a costly solicitor?
Can it be a fixed amount rather than percentage (I've continued to pay in to my pot and it's continued to accrue interest)?

Can't you use the service on the right to convert the Separation Agreement into a Consent Order?

www.wikivorce.com/divorce/Services/Consent-Order.html

Seems the cheapest and most obvious way to get it court ratified

The pensions can not be shared unless there is a relevant court order in place. Your separation agreement is not a legally binding court order, and therefore a pension provider will not act on it and divide the pensions.

A consent order will reflect the agreement(s) you already have in place, and set out in your separation agreement.

A separation agreement can include future intentions regarding certain marital assets, such as pensions - it allows couples to set out thier agreement and to regulate thier finances while separated.

As Rickoshea has suggested, Wikivorce provide fixed fee consent orders from £259 - why not call the helpline on 01202805020 for a chat and more information?