A Uniform System of Citation, the Bluebook, is the closest thing to a generally accepted format for cites.  While especially relied upon for case citations, the Bluebook also provides citation examples for everything from enclyclopedias to statutes and court rules.   (Note that while the Bluebook is widely used, it is not universal.  For instance, Bluebook says to cite the Nevada Revised Statutes as Nev. Rev. Stat.  Most attorneys and courts in Nevada, however, cite it as N.R.S. instead.)