In the introductory episode of this three-part series, partners Raja Bose, Ian Meredith, and Matt Weldon, along with associates Ed Brown-Humes and Rob Houston, provide an overview of Investor-State arbitration in the context of investment disputes arising from government measures taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In this short introduction to investment treaties at a time of pandemic, our panel discusses the origins of investment treaty protection dating back to the 1950's, different types of investment treaties and the international investment protection landscape, how investors benefit from these investment treaties, and how those rights can be utilized in practice.