Hello
@Bert 
It would be really helpful if you could go back to your profile, and write in which county you are in as an update please.
If you are anywhere near us in Kent, it has been really really hot and dry. Sometimes with these conditions a tree or shrub will simply drop all it's leaves in order to save itself. It happened to a holly tree here and it seemed like it dropped all of it's leaves over a couple of days. Just today whilst out on the tractor mower I noticed that it was growing some new leaves again, and I thought it had snuffed - popped it's clogs.

Another reason for your laurel losing leaves could be just the opposite though. If it has been extra wet weather, this could be prone to root rot - these don't like their feet wet all the time.