substantive law.” American Civil Liberties Union v. City of Las Vegas, 333 F.3d 1092, 1097 (9th Cir.2003), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 1110, 124 S.Ct. 1077, 157 L.Ed.2d 897 (2004). The district court erred in adopting Defendants’ “Statement of Uncontroverted Facts” after concluding that Plaintiffs failed to submit a “Statement of Genuine Issues” as required by Central District of California Local Rule 56-3. Despite Defendants’ protestations otherwise, in his pro se response, Christman did controvert Defendants’ factual assertions — albeit inartfully. Although Christ-man did not comply with the niceties of the district court’s local rules governing summary judgment, Christman’s informal attempt to do so was sufficient. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S.Ct. 594, 30 L.Ed.2d 652 (1972) (<HOLDING>); see also Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 957
holding pro se litigants to less stringent standards than parties with the aid of counsel recognizing pro se litigants pleadings are held to a less stringent standard holding that pro se pleadings are held to less stringent standards than those drafted by lawyers holding pro se complaint to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers holding a pro se complaint to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers