Contemporanea expositio: administrative interpretations are persuasive in statutory interpretation but may be disregarded if clearly erroneous. The doctrine of contemporanea expositio directs courts to accord considerable weight to contemporary authoritative constructions of a statute or document, including administrative or practical constructions placed by officers charged with executing the statute. These constructions are persuasive and promote certainty akin to stare decisis, but are not controlling and may be disregarded if found to be clearly wrong or if they defeat legislative intent.