If a civil suit has been filed is it to late to contact the company who filed the suit to come to an agreement to settle without going to court?

Generally, it is never too late to settle a case, even at the day of hearing.  If you were sued in Magisterial District Justice Court, the first hearing listed is usually simply a default date.  If you fail to notify of your intent to defend, the Plaintiff will not be required to appear and a default judgment will be entered.  If you notify of your intent to defend, an actual hearing date will be assigned.  You can try to settle up until the actual hearing begins and even after that as the courts generally take days or even weeks to render a decision.   If you were sued in Common Pleas Court, the complaint contains a Notice to Defend advising that you have 20 days from the date of service to file a response.  Even after that, the Plaintiff must provide a 10 day notice affording another 10 days before a judgment may be entered. I trust this answers your questions, and, if you live in the Delaware Valley, feel free to call or email on a free initial basis. Best Regards,   Matthew R. Nahrgang, Esquire 35 Evansburg Road, Ste 400 Collegeville, PA 19426 (610) 489-3041 o (610) 489-3042 fax nahrganglaw.com